Arts and culture in figures
Arts and culture have an impact and that is reflected in the research and the figures that are published across the various professional fields. Collect data which you can use to substantiate your story.
Discipline specific
What do you use data for?
Figures about the arts and culture sector provide insight into the size of the professional group or field. That says something about the importance thereof. You can also examine this per field: for example, how many shows take place each year, how many architects are there or how many visitors do museums attract?
Pay careful attention to the context when using statistical data. For example, look at the scale: are you talking about impact at the level of a neighbourhood, town or city, region, nationally or internationally?
You can use research to elucidate the impact of your own work or field. Place figures in perspective by making a comparison, for example, with an average figure and substantiate your own story in that way.
Data and current affairs
When comparing data, it is also important to place new developments in that period in a broad perspective. For example, the corona pandemic has had major consequences for the entire arts and cultural sector. In 2020 till 2022 you will see a sharp decrease in the number of visitors. Income and employment also declined, despite the financial arrangements to compensate for the lockdowns and restrictive measures. These figures cannot be compared with those of the years before without that context.
Where can you find statistical data?
You will find quantitative data and qualitative and thematic analyses about the Dutch cultural sector in the Cultuurmonitor (Cultural Monitor) of the Boekman Foundation. You can also turn to this for figures about the various professional fields In addition, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce provides figures about the number of employees, self-employed professionals and institutions in the various occupational groups, including the ‘culture and sport’ industry. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and municipalities present statistical data.
Via representative bodies
In order to be able to properly support the interests of a specific field and their own members, representative bodies often conduct research themselves too, for example by questioning their own members or supporters about specific themes. This information is usually presented publicly too. There are various national professional organisations that make an important contribution in this way towards promoting the interests of their own professional group and towards arts advocacy in general. You can also take advantage of these figures in order to substantiate your own story.
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Figures for the professional field of music
In 2024 the turnover of the Dutch music industry was €334 million (12% more than in 2023). This concerns the revenues from streaming and the sale of music on CDs, LPs and DVDs in the Netherlands, from both domestic and foreign artists. With a market share of 83%, music streaming is the most important source of income for the Dutch industry. Turnover from streaming increased by 16% to €278 million in 2024. Turnover from ‘physical’ decreased by 6%, while turnover from vinyl remained stable at over 37 million euros. (NVPI, 2025)
In 2023, the music venues organised 17,362 activities with an audience, during which 25,341 performances were given by artists. 2023 became a record year with 5,772,273 visits to the music venues, which is 11% more visits than the 5,197,689 visits in 2019. (VNPF, 2024)
In 2023, 8,372 people worked for music venues, including temporary workers, self-employed people, trainees and volunteers. This number is 7% higher than in 2019, mainly due to an increase in paid staff. (VNPF, 2024)
In 2023, global recorded music revenues grew by 10.2%. This was the ninth consecutive year of global growth. Digital revenues have increased steadily over the past few years and streaming continued to be the dominant format globally, accounting for 67.3% of global recorded music revenues after increasing by 10.4% in 2023. By the end of that year, there were 667 million users of paid subscription accounts globally. (IFPI, 2024)
Source: IFPI
Source: VNPF (Association of Dutch Music Venues and Festivals)
Source: NVPI
Source: CBS
Source: Cultuurmonitor - Muziek (Cultural Monitor - Music)
Source: Poplive monitor
The figures from the CBS are based on figures from the VSCD, VNPF and their own survey. Festivals are not included in the CBS data.