Arts, culture and creativity
An Overview of a New Direction's Cultural Capital Research within the Context of Wider Research into the Impact of Wealth Inequality on Young People's Participation in Arts, Cultural, and Extra-Curricular Activities
A New Direction · 2014
About this report
A New Direction surveyed 1,689 young Londoners aged 13–19 to explore differences in arts and cultural engagement between young people from lower-income families and their peers. The research found consistent gaps in engagement, cultural vocabulary and awareness of opportunities between those receiving free school meals and better-off young people. Key barriers included social, economic, physical and psychological factors — particularly a sense of identity as a 'non-attendee' among poorer young people. The report argues that arts and cultural engagement could play a meaningful role in supporting social mobility and closing the attainment gap.
Research details
- Methodology
- SurveyMixed methods
- Sample size
- 1,689
- Sample
- Young people aged 13–19 from schools in London's most deprived areas, including those in receipt of free school meals (FSM) as a proxy for economic disadvantage, and their better-off peers.
- Locality
- London
- Place
- London
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement