Australians spend more on arts

Press, 29 November 1989, Page 23

Australians spend more on arts

Sydney NZPA-AAPAustralians spent more than sAust666o million (SNZB7BO million) on entertainment and the arts in the past year, excluding sport, alcohol and gambling. Figures released by the Australian Council show that the value of the total supply of goods from arts and related industries contributed more than beer and alcoholic beverages to the economy. The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that television grabbed the biggest individual slice of Australians’ total spending on arts and entertainment at sAust623 million ($B2l million) for 1987-88 financial year. Books took sAust6l9 million ($Bl6 million) out of pockets around the country. Of the nearly 60,000 people employed in the arts and entertainment industry, 32,000 were professional artists, with musicians making up the majority at 37 per cent. Sydneysiders lead the country in spending on the cinema and live theatre annually. It was estimated that household spending per person in Sydney averaged sAust 16.90 ($22.28) on the cinema a year, with sAust32.Bo ($43.24) going to live theatre and music. The total value of arts related goods and services to the economy in 1987/88 was estimated at sAust3B29 million ($5048) compared to the estimated sAust3o94 million ($4079) contributed by beer and alcoholic beverages. Some 40 per cent of Australians’ leisure time was spent watching television with nine per cent going to reading. But attendances at museums and galleries increased from 5.5 million visits in 1986-87 to 6.5 *M;n; n n >o«7.aa< $