Cohort effects, age effects, and period effects in the participation in the arts and culture in Denmark 1964–20041

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Danish population's participation in cultural activities during the period 1964–2004 with special regard to cohort effects, age effects and period effects. The research is based on data collected in a representative survey of participation in arts and culture in Denmark from 2004, and data from previous similar studies carried out in 1964, 1975, 1987, 1993 and 1998. By using the ‘quasi‐panel structure’ of the total dataset from different survey years, cohort analyses are used to describe the development in participation for selected cultural activities for different generations during the last 40 years. It is shown how age effects, generation effects and period effects can be separated to get a more detailed picture of the development in participation. This more advanced statistical approach will lead to better and more precise cultural policy indicators of participation.