ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we discuss the way arts engagement was distinctively shaped in our four sites of research, the UK cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and London. We argue that audience research is not place neutral: our interviewees talk about the reputations of their cities and the characteristics of local provision, from the descriptions of Birmingham and Liverpool’s lack of national recognition to the sense of Bristol as a festival city with a strong contemporary arts scene. We explore why London is different, with a plethora of arts events leading to a different relationship with arts venues and organisations and a greater fear of missing out. We introduce the idea of navigating the local arts ecology (explored further in the next chapter) and consider the processes of selection, loyalty and exploration involved in arts attendance as a local resident and as a tourist.