UNESCO handbook on measuring cultural participation

Measuring Cultural Participation is the second of a series of handbooks produced by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) to build upon the concepts set out in the 2009 UNESCO Framework for Cultural Statistics. The handbook presents current trends in measuring cultural participation.

The handbook provides a state-of-the-art reference guide for the measurement of cultural participation and consumption, with particular attention to its feasibility in developing countries. It includes and comments on examples from national and international case studies.

Download pdf. Measuring Cultural Participation

While cultural expressions are alive and ever-changing, models to gauge their impact have not kept pace. How can we measure cultural acts, such as partaking in a traditional ceremony, playing an instrument or visiting a museum virtually? In today’s world of technological advances, how does the Internet affect cultural practices? Do age and gender play a role in people’s level of cultural participation?

This edition presents current trends in measuring cultural participation. By focusing mainly on quantitative approaches, it presents an overview of data collection instruments from around the world.

The report also identifies best practices for countries to follow, as well as a checklist of critical topics for designing future surveys. This handbook serves as an important resource for organizations involved in collecting data on cultural participation.

Steering away from the traditional view of cultural practices, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is developing new guidelines which can be applied across countries to measure cultural participation globally.