Spatially Disaggregated Cultural Consumption: Empirical Evidence of Cultural Sustainability from Austria

Michael Getzner

doi:10.3390/su122310023

Abstract

The determinants of cultural consumption are rarely explored by means of travel demand (i.e., travel cost) models. In this paper, the empirical results are presented in regard to the frequency of attendance to cultural events as an indicator of cultural sustainability. Approximately 50% of the respondents who participated in a representative household survey in Austria stated that they would participate in cultural events at least once a year. The average frequency of attendance came to about 3 to 4 times a year, depending on the kind of cultural event (e.g., drama/opera performances, museum visits, concerts in schools of music). The estimations support the notion that the distance from the respondent’s residence to the cultural event is negatively correlated with the frequency of attendance. Other determinants include the typical socio-economic characteristics of respondents (e.g., education, income). However, the availability of cultural infrastructure in urban or rural areas, as well as municipal cultural spending, are the main spatial and public finance variables influencing attendance frequency. Based on the econometric estimations of the travel cost model, the economic value of attending a cultural event (consumer surplus) varies from EUR 38 (cinema) to EUR 55 (theater, opera) on average. The results suggest that local and regional cultural infrastructure are significant contributors to cultural sustainability.

Highlights

The 2005 UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions is an important framework of current cultural policies to which the Republic of Austria has committed itself [1]
Since the 1970s, the Austrian Ministry of Education and Culture has commissioned some studies on examining cultural participation and ascertaining the socio-economic determinants of cultural consumption (e.g., [4]; cf. [5])
The following model is used as an exploratory model, which incorporates a number of variables suggested by scholars to exert explanatory power on the frequency of being at cultural events

Summary

Introduction

The 2005 UNESCO convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions is an important framework of current cultural policies to which the Republic of Austria has committed itself [1]. Especially since the 1970s, was committed to broaden cultural consumption for general audiences under the umbrella of Culture and the Arts for all (Kultur für alle; cf [3]). This ambitious program tackled the existing unequal access to cultural goods and services between urban and rural populations, as well as different social groups, by aiming to support regional and local governments in funding cultural participation, by improving cultural infrastructure and by enhancing arts education (e.g., by establishing local music schools). Since the 1970s, the Austrian Ministry of Education and Culture has commissioned some studies on examining cultural participation and ascertaining the socio-economic determinants of cultural consumption (e.g., [4]; cf. [5])

Methods

Results

Conclusion