A national survey has revealed that participation and appreciation of the arts are more popular than sport and are widely indulged across the social spectrum.

The survey is the fourth in a series commissioned by Arts Council England to measure the public’s attendance, participation and attitude towards cultural activities. It was produced by the Office of National Statistics and questioned 6,025 people over the age of 16 during 2003.

Almost 90 per cent of English people attended some kind of art-related venue in the past year while cultural activities are more common in the south of England than in the north.

A quarter of those questioned said they had been to see a play or drama in the past 12 months. 26 per cent had choosen to watch a musical and 22 per cent of respondants had visited an exhibition of art, photography or sculpture. Other popular pursuits included going to a pop concert – 20 per cent – or a classical concert – 10 per cent.

Commenting on the increase in popularity of the arts, chair of Arts Council England, Sir Christopher Frayling, said: “This shift in the nation’s appetite for arts and culture – and the support for public funding – is linked both to the unprecedented investment in the arts from the National Lottery and from the Treasury in recent years, and to the increasing accessibility of what’s on offer.” Details: www.artscouncil.org.uk