The current European framework for cultural statistics is based on work carried out by the Leadership Group (LEG) on Cultural Statistics. It was decided to restrict the field to activities that were recognised as cultural by every Member State. For this reason sports and tourism, for example, were excluded.
The field of culture was divided into some sixty activities, cross-relating:
Eight 'domains': artistic and monumental heritage, archives, libraries, books and press, visual arts, architecture, performing arts and audiovisual/multimedia; and
Six 'functions': conservation, creation, production, dissemination, trade and training
Currently, ESSnet-culture (network of countries working on the methodological development of cultural statistics) is discussing the new, updated European framework, taking into account the new UNESCO framework for cultural statistics proposed in 2009. The new European framework for cultural statistics is expected by the end of 2011.
Pocketbook "Cultural statistics"
Eurostat’s pocketbook ‘Cultural statistics’ published in April 2011 is the second in the series. It presents data on enterprises in cultural sectors, employment in cultural sectors and occupations, external trade in cultural goods, cultural participation, private household expenditure on cultural goods and other statistics. It uses data collected in the framework of the European Statistical System, as well as other sources such as UNESCO, Eurobarometer, EGMUS and Media Salles.
