There are two main resources that we use to improve our understanding of how and why people engage with the arts:

• Taking Part survey - a major national survey of cultural participation that has been running since 2005
• Arts-based segmentation research - an in-depth analysis of the patterns of consumer behaviour and arts engagement in England based on data from the Taking Part and TGI surveys

You can also read about the Active People and TGI surveys that have historically been used to understand arts engagement in England.

We are currently developing a project that will help the arts sector to consistently benchmark their audience data. More information about this project will be available by the end of 2011.