Children - Arts involvement outside school

About one-third of Australian school children take part in organised cultural activities outside of school hours, according to a survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006.

Over 500,000 children play a musical instrument, making this the most popular cultural activity.

Children’s participation in organised cultural activities, outside of school hours(a)

Activity	Number of children aged 5–14 years	Participation rate (%)
Playing a musical instrument	520,500	19.5
Singing	147,000	5.5
Dancing	332,600	12.5
Drama	119,100	4.5
At least one activity	869,600	32.6

(a) During the 12 months prior to April 2006.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia, April 2006 (cat. no. 4901.0).

Girls were more active than boys in cultural activities, with 44 per cent of girls participating and only 22 per cent of boys. However, boys’ participation increased between 2003 and 2006 from 17 per cent to 22 per cent.

In 2000 and 2003 overall participation rates were around 30 per cent, but between 2003 and 2006, there was a 3 per cent increase in overall participation rates.

Playing a musical instrument grew the most in popularity; between 2003 and 2006, the number of children playing an instrument increased from 13 per cent to 18 per cent.