QUICK TAKES - June 16, 2009

Audiences for the arts in the U.S. continue to decline and age at significant rates, according to a report released Monday by the National Endowment for the Arts. But the Internet holds hope as more people are going online to experience culture.

Nearly 35% of U.S. adults -- or about 78 million people -- attended an art museum or an arts performance in 2008, the report said. That’s down from about 40% in 1982, 1992 and 2002. In particular, audiences for classical and jazz concerts have declined by double digits since 1982, the most of all the art forms.

Surprisingly, the largest drop in arts consumption comes from people ages 45 to 54, which has traditionally been the most dependable group of arts participants. Arts consumption by college-educated Americans also was down.

But the report said a “substantial number” of people are going online to experience the arts. Of the adults who went online for any purpose in 2008, approximately 40% used the Internet to view, listen to, download or post artworks or performances, the report said.

-- David Ng