Determinants of theatre, dance, and art museum attendance in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article investigates the determinants of theatre, dance, and art museum attendance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using two analytical techniques. Multivariate probit and censored Poisson models are used to investigate the likelihood of attendance and the frequency of attendance, respectively. The data were collected by Pan Arab Research Centre from 1377 households in Dubai and Abu Dhabi using a computer-aided telephone survey in 2012. The results show that ethnicity and residency dynamics are important determinants of attendance. The expatriate groups, European, American, Indian, and Other Asians, have a higher expected frequency and likelihood of attending dance compared to the UAE nationals, while the expected frequency and likelihood of theatre and dance attendance are lower for Egyptians. Indians and Other Asian groups are less likely to attend theatre and art museum. Longer residency positively influences the frequency and likelihood of attending theatre and dance, while theatre lessons increase the chances and frequency of attending the theatre. Gender, income, and household composition were also found to be important variables. Therefore, changes in residency rules would affect the demand pattern for artistic and cultural goods. Programmes to promote art appreciation such as acting could nurture a lasting interest in the arts.