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Statewide Poll: The Arts in Maryland
What comes to mind for Marylanders when they think about the arts? How do they feel about the role of arts in education? And further, to what extent do they believe the state should
support the arts? Responses to questions like these—and others—are the focus of this statewide survey of the arts, which finds that Marylanders overwhelmingly value and engage with the arts, and believe the state should encourage artistic expression and equitable access to the
Two-thirds of Marylanders believe
46% “Besides cost, what are the biggest reasons you don’t attend more arts events?”
14% lack of time
distance
7%
60
not sure what’s available
“the state should encourage and promote artistic expression and access to the arts.”
MARYLANDERS’ TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE ARTS
e in touch wit sm h p e
%
believe
ural identity.” cult my
ic expression rtist ke “A
arts. The findings of this poll, in addition to the $1 billion annual economic impact of Maryland’s nonprofits arts industry, powerfully affirm that Maryland’s investment in the arts advances both quality of life and economic growth across the state.
90%
87%
86%
want the state and its local communities to encourage art and creativity
want schools to provide more exposure to the arts
want Maryland to be known as a place where artists can be successful
Film is the art form that Marylanders engage with the most. 79% attended a film within the last year, followed by 61% live musical performance and 40% live theater or dance
For more poll findings, visit msac.org/publications. of those
10% 16%
70% spare time
part-time
full-time
A quarter of Marylanders consider themselves artists.
Instrumental music is the most common pursuit of self-described artists (31%), followed by writing (15%) and dance (13%).
From top to bottom: Untitled by Lars Westby; Scranton Lace by Michael Borek; Internal Tattooing by Matthew Kern.
49% of Marylanders under the age of 30 consider themselves artists.
What about the others? Of Marylanders who described themselves as “non-artists,” 83% engage in a creative pursuit in their free time.
In schools or by involving children
33% 45%
40%
25%
draw, paint or take photographs
work on crafts
sing or play an instrument
Advertise or promote the arts
24%
HOW SHOULD THE STATE SUPPORT ART? Top responses
15% Improve affordability and access
13% Support art or artists financially
One-third of workers in Maryland feel they employ a creative discipline as part of their work.
How This Research Was Conducted OpinionWorks conducted a telephone survey of 800 randomly selected Maryland adults from May 8-12, 2013, with a questionnaire that averaged 9 minutes in length. According to customary statistical standards, this statewide sample produces a margin of error of no more
than ± 3.5% at a 95% confidence level. This means that the true results would differ from the survey by no more than that amount in at least 19 out of 20 cases, if every adult resident of the state had been interviewed.