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Exhibition visiting frequency in the last year by network association to the art field

In order to gain a descriptive understanding of the visitors (and non-visitors) of art institutions and exhibitions, we conducted an exploratory survey which received 77 responses. The survey revealed a notable finding that the vast majority of respondents who visited an art museum or an exhibition five or more times in the last year, had a friend, family member, or close acquaintance in the art field.

It is not entirely surprising as the survey was spread through networks, yet it does provide some insight into the nature of frequent exhibition visitors and the importance of social capital in accessing and engaging with the art world.

Building on this understanding, the research paper by Yul, “Brushing Up on Inclusion: An Exploration of Complex Inequalities within the Swedish Art World,” was produced as a response to the issue of segregation within the Swedish art world. The aim of this research is not only to draw attention to materials that have dealt with similar issues, but also to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework for addressing this problem.

The paper investigates how the intersection of class and ethnicity shapes the Swedish art world and how the Swedish civil sphere influences the inclusion and exclusion within the Swedish art world. The paper serves as an exploratory overview of the issue, as well as a means of anchoring our understanding of the topic. 


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(The paper is included in our publication.)