FACT SHEET
STATEWIDE SURVEY OF THE ARTS IN MARYLAND

Key findings from the STATEWIDE SURVEY OF THE ARTS IN MARYLAND include: Marylanders are actively involved with the Arts. First and foremost, this is a state filled with active creators of art.

• 84% of Marylanders are actively creating art, either professionally or in their spare time.

• One-quarter of Marylanders (23%) consider themselves to be either active or aspiring artists, in other words “engaged in some way as a creator or performer of art, music, dance, theater, film, writing, or something similar.”

• About one-quarter of those are making some or all of their living through art.

• As a discipline, musical expression tops the list, followed by painting or drawing, writing, and performance of theater or dance.

• When the 77% of Marylanders who do not consider themselves artists are asked about activities in their spare time, it turns out that a large majority are drawing, painting, taking photographs as a hobby, working on crafts, dancing or singing, working with textiles, writing creatively, woodworking, making jewelry or pottery, or participating in community theater or re-enactments.

• Marylanders are active in their appreciation of art and support it through their actions.

• Marylanders are active observers of art, with 89% attending musical performances, live theater or dance, art festivals or events, museums, galleries, and the like over the past year. Most of these art forms are being experienced within Maryland.

• Marylanders support the Arts. Three-quarters (73%) of Marylanders have encouraged someone they know to pursue their interest in creating or performing art; and 70% have purchased something handmade by an artist or craftsperson.

• There is a strong consensus in Maryland that art should be a core part of our school curriculum. Ninety-two percent (92%) of Marylanders believe that “schools should provide more exposure to the Arts for our young people.”

• Ninety-five percent (95%) of the public sees a role for the State of Maryland and local communities in encouraging art. Specifically, they want a greater emphasis on arts curriculum in the schools, more free or low cost events and more marketing to increase awareness of the arts.

• Nine out of ten citizens (91%) want Maryland to be known as a place where artists can be successful, and about the same number - 90% - believe that a vibrant Arts community makes Maryland a better place to live.

• Nearly two-thirds of Marylanders (63%) say “artistic expression keeps me in touch with my cultural identity,” a number that reaches 80% both among the state’s African-American and Hispanic residents.

STATEWIDE SURVEY -FACTSHEET
STATEWIDE SURVEY -FACTSHEET.pdf