The Taking Part Survey collects data about engagement and non-engagement in culture, leisure and sport in England and has been going for about six years now.
The latest results have just been released and, flicking through (yep, I read these things so you don’t have to), I was struck by the continued references to increases in digital participation. So much so that I thought I’d copy/paste the bits from the headline report. The actual data and further information is on the DCMS website.
The findings
As I say, I’ve just copied the bits from the statistical release (PDF) that refer to digital participation. Emphasis (in bold) is mine.
Heritage:
Since 2005/06, the proportion of people visiting heritage websites increased from 18.3 per cent to 27.5 per cent. Between 2005/06 and July 2010 to June 2011, the proportion of people who visited a heritage website to take a virtual tour of a heritage site remained steady (27.9% of people had done this in July 2010 to June 2011).
Museums & galleries:
In July 2010 to June 2011, 25.6 per cent of adults had visited a museum or gallery website, an increase from 15.8 per cent in 2005/06.Between 2008/09 and July 2010 to June 2011, there were increases in the proportions of people visiting a museum or gallery website to book tickets (from 47.5% to 53.4%) or to find out about a subject (from 46.5% to 50.8%). Meanwhile the proportion visiting to look at a collection remained steady (21.0% in July 2010 to June 2011)
Arts:
In July 2010 to June 2011, 42.7 per cent of adults had visited a theatre or concert website, a significant increase from 30.5 per cent in 2005/06. Of those who had visited a theatre or concert website, the top three reasons were: buying tickets for an arts performance or exhibition (67.8%), looking up information about arts events (63.1%) and downloading music (11.3%).
Archives:
People are more likely to visit an archive or records office online than in person. In July 2010 to June 2011, 11.2 per cent of adults had visited an archive or records office website in the last 12 months, a significant increase from 9.7 per cent in 2005/06. Of those who had visited an archive or records office website, 63.2 per cent had done so to view digitised documents, 30.4 per cent had searched a catalogue while 19.8 per cent had completed a transaction.
Libraries:
In July 2010 to June 2011, 16.5 per cent of adults had visited a library website in the last 12 months, a significant increase from 8.9 per cent in 2005/06. Of those who had visited a library website, 76.6 per cent had searched and viewed online information or made an enquiry. 38.9 per cent had completed a transaction, e.g. reserve or renew items, pay a fine.
What does ‘Digital Participation’ mean?
Interesting question, I’m glad you asked. The report tells us that, for the purposes of the Taking Part survey, digital participation includes visiting websites for at least one of the following reasons:
- Museum or gallery website – To look at items from a collection.
- Museum or gallery website – To find out about a particular subject.
- Library website – To complete a transaction (e.g. reserve or renew items, pay a fine).
- Library website – To search and view online information or make an enquiry.
- Heritage website – To take a virtual tour of a historical site.
- Theatre or concert website – To download music.
- Theatre or concert website – To view or download an arts performance or exhibition.
- Theatre or concert website – To discuss the arts or share artworks.
- Archive or records office website – To complete a transaction.
- Archive or records office website – To view digitized documents online.
- Archive or records office website – To search a catalogue.
Which is interesting – it makes me wonder what proportion of museum, gallery, theatre or concert websites have that kind of content or functionality.