During 1988 and 1989 a series of surveys of public opinion was conducted for the Australia Council by the Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. The surveys were part of the weekly omnibus survey conducted by the Roy Morgan Research Center Pty Ltd, in which around 1200 Australians are interviewed in both country and city areas. The results are presented in the main body of this report. Significant results are discussed on a page opposite selected tabulated results for each question. Detailed tabulated results can be found in Appendix 1. More detailed tables are available on request from the Australia Council; tables are available for responses grouped by city/country/State, sex, age, life cycle stage, respondent income, respondent occupation, respondent education level, household size and country of birth. The actual questions asked and their timing are detailed both at the head of each table and in Appendix 2. (Introduction).

CONTENTS
  1. Defining the arts.
  2. Knowledge of the arts.
  3. Availability of information about the arts.
  4. The arts on television.
  5. Further involvement in the arts.
  6. Who benefits from the arts.
  7. The value of the arts to people.
  8. The arts as providing an impression of our way of life.
  9. Artists giving a favourable image overseas.
10. Arts occupations and skills.

Appendix:
     1. Detailed results and explanatory notes.
     2. Questionnaires.
     3. The Roy Morgan Research Centre.

During 1988 and 1989 a series of surveys of public opinion was conducted for the Australia Council by the Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. The surveys were part of the weekly omnibus survey conducted by the Roy Morgan Research Center Pty Ltd, in which around 1200 Australians are interviewed in both country and city areas. The results are presented in the main body of this report.