The DCMS and Arts Council England (ACE) have commissioned the first national study into voluntary arts activity. The aim of the study, called Our Creative Talent: the voluntary and amateur arts in England , is to develop a better understanding of a sector that accounts for one-fifth of all arts participation in England and generates near £543m a year.

The six-month study was carried out by research consultants TBR. It comes at a time when ACE has announced its intention to invest £1.6bn into the arts between now and 2011, to drive up levels of attendance and participation in arts activities.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge, said: "This research shows the sheer size and significance of the voluntary and amateur arts sector.

"Far from being a poor relation to the professional arts, the sector sustains cultural traditions, encourages innovation, helps develop new audiences, promotes vibrant and inclusive communities and supports the professional sector."

The study showed that in the last three years, 1.9 million adults enrolled in unaccredited training funded by the Learning and Skills Council. However, the number of enrollments is decreasing, from 558,000 in 2003-4 to 423,000 in 2006-7, while only 25 per cent of courses are available at the weekend - considered more convenient for most people.

It also revealed that there are 49,140 arts groups throughout the country, which involve a total of 9.4 million people. It also shows music groups to be the most popular, followed by theatre and dance.

Robin Simpson, chief executive of Voluntary Arts Network (VAN), said: "Across the country, tens of thousands of voluntary arts groups stage plays and operas, festivals and concerts, put on exhibitions and run classes and workshops every week.

"VAN hopes this will be the first step in a developing partnership between government and the voluntary arts to realise the massive potential to encourage, increase and broaden participation in the arts."

The study consisted of quantitative and qualitative research including results from a nationwide, online survey of approximately 2,200 arts groups, as well as secondary data from the National Learning Directory, the Learning and Skills Council and the National Learner Satisfaction Survey.

The term voluntary art groups do not include those organised by a paid individual.