Participation in culture and arts declines in Istanbul: High ticket and entry fees are the biggest obstacle
According to the Istanbul Barometer by the IPA, 45.8 percent of those living in the city did not attend any culture or arts events in the last year.
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The July Istanbul Barometer research by the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) has revealed a striking picture regarding participation in culture and arts events in the city. According to the research, 45.8 percent of Istanbul residents stated that they did not attend any culture or arts events in the last year.
The monthly data bulletin of the IPA, which is affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, addressed the topic of "Culture and Entertainment Habits in Istanbul" this month. The research, conducted with 758 people, examined participation in cultural life, obstacles to participation, entertainment expenditures, and digital content habits.
CONCERTS ARE THE MOST ATTENDED
In the research, the most popular choice among those who attended culture and arts events was concerts at 33.9 percent. Concerts were followed by theater and stand-up shows at 21.8 percent, and art gallery and museum visits at 21.2 percent.
The rate of those attending book fairs or author meet-and-greets was measured at 16.2 percent, while street festivals and outdoor events remained at 16.1 percent. Participation in film festivals was recorded at 11.9 percent; participation in design, photography, and fashion events at 6.2 percent; participation in dance performances at 5.9 percent; and participation in opera, ballet, and classical music recitals at 5.7 percent.
Economic factors are at the forefront of the reasons making participation in culture and arts events difficult. 45 percent of participants cited the high cost of tickets and entry fees as the most significant obstacle. In second place, with 38.1 percent, was not finding time due to work or school.
FIRST CUTS IN SPENDING ARE AT SOCIAL VENUES
The research also showed that economic conditions directly affect culture and entertainment spending. 41.4 percent of participants said they had cut back on spending at social venues such as restaurants and cafes in the last year. The rate of those who stated they did not make any cuts in any spending category was 39.8 percent.
The rate of those who cut back on purchasing concert and theater tickets was measured at 37.6 percent, and the rate of those who cut back on cinema tickets was 37.2 percent. This rate dropped to 26 percent for museum visits, 25.9 percent for book, magazine, and digital content purchases, and 25.2 percent for streaming platform subscriptions.
Digital content also holds a strong place in the culture and entertainment habits of Istanbul residents. According to the research, while the rate of those who prefer to attend physical events is 56.9 percent, the rate of those who prefer social media and digital content over cultural experiences was determined to be 28.5 percent.
34.3 percent of those who prefer digital content stated that they find this content more practical when time is limited. The fact that digital content is more accessible and affordable was the second reason at 29.6 percent. 18.1 percent of participants cited the social circle's shift toward digital as a reason, while 12.5 percent cited the difficulty or exhaustion of reaching physical venues.
According to IPA data, the average daily digital entertainment content consumption time for Istanbul residents is 3 hours and 8 minutes. Daily free time outside of work, sleep, eating, and childcare was calculated as an average of 3 hours and 44 minutes. This proximity reveals that city residents allocate a significant portion of their free time to digital content.