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
With an 83% market share, streaming music remains the most important source of revenue for the Dutch music industry. Streaming revenue increased by 16% to €278 million in 2024. Physical revenue decreased by 6%, while vinyl revenue remained relatively stable at over €37 million. Total revenue reached €334 million in 2024. (NVPI, 2026)
In 2024, global recorded music revenues grew by 4.8%. This was the tenth consecutive year of global growth. Streaming continued to be the dominant format globally, accounting for 69.0% of global recorded music revenues after increasing by 9.5% in 2024. By the end of that year, there were 752 million users of paid subscription accounts globally. (IFPI, 2026)
In 2024, pop venues organised 20,906 activities with an audience, featuring 30,831 music performances by artists. Among concert activities, the share of performances by international artists increased from 31% in 2023 to 36% in 2024. In 2024, 6,885,354 visits were made to pop venues. (VNPF, 2026)
In 2024, 10,574 people were employed by pop venues. 67% of the work was performed by salaried staff. Hired freelancers accounted for 10% of the work, 8% by interns, 3% by agency workers, and 11% by volunteers. (VNPF, 2026)
There is considerable variation in the sources of income between music genres. Popular music, for example, receives much less government subsidy or funding than classical music. In 2023, 7.1 percent of the total subsidy from the basic infrastructure and Performing Arts Fund went to pop music, while classical music received 93 percent of the total. Municipal subsidies (94 percent of the total subsidy for pop venues affiliated with VNPF) are more important for pop venues. (Cultural Monitor, 2026)
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.