SATISFACTION WITH PERFORMING ARTS

The county’s cultural climate receives a decidedly tepid rating from residents. While only about a third (32%) say they are “very satisfied” with the performing arts/cultural aspect of life here, a 59% majority say they are only “somewhat satisfied.” One person in 10 claims to be “not at all satisfied.” The area’s cultural offerings are most satisfactory to older people, those in the upper education bracket, south county residents and women. Household income, however, does not show up as a factor.

People who say they are most interested in seeing more “high culture” events such as opera, dance and classical music are more satisfied than are devotees of pop music and Broadway plays. Even at that, most high-culture fans are only somewhat satisfied with the arts scene. Those in whose lives the arts play a very important part are somewhat more satisfied than others, but, again, the majority reports only middling satisfaction. This question was asked: “How would you rate performing arts and cultural events in Orange County--are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied or are you not satisfied with this feature of life here?”

Very Somewhat Not at All Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied TOTAL 32% 59% 9% SEX Men 29 61 10 Women 36 58 6 AGE 18-34 26 65 9 35-54 36 55 9 55 or older 39 56 5 EDUCATION College graduate 37 58 5 Some college 28 59 13 High school 29 62 9 REGION * North county 30 61 9 South county 38 56 6 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME More than $50,000 34 59 7 $35,000 to $49,999 29 65 6 Less than $35,000 31 57 12 IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE/ARTS Very important 38 52 10 Somewhat important 32 63 5 Not important 28 53 19 PERFORMING ARTS INTERESTS High culture 42 52 6 Pop music 21 70 9 Broadway plays 34 59 7

* Dividing line is the Costa Mesa Freeway (55)

Source: Times Orange County Poll by Mark Baldassare