This Taking Part Survey looks at engagement with museums and galleries in England between 2005 and 2016.

It is conducted by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport across England each year.

The report highlights demographic and regional differences. It also tracks individual participants over time by re-interviewing them every year. So we can see how individuals’ participation habits change, and uncover some of the reasons behind these changes.

Here are some of the most interesting findings from the report:

• Since 2005/06, engagement with museums and galleries has significantly increased across all demographic groups in England.
• 52.5% of adults visited a museum or gallery in 2015/2016.
• 61.1% of children aged 5-15 had visited a museum or gallery in 2015/2016.
• Adults from the upper socio-economic group are significantly more likely to visit a museum or gallery compared with adults from the lower socio-economic group.
• Adults without a long-standing illness or disability are significantly more likely to visit museums or galleries compared with those with one.
• For people who increased their visiting level over the ten years, 14.2% said the main reason was because there were more exhibitions that interested them.
• By far the most common reason for visiting museums or galleries less often was having less free time.