Opinion Poll Surveys on Public Sentiments towards the Arts in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is aimed at establishing the need to recognize and support the arts in the development of culture through opinion poll surveys on public sentiments towards the arts. Particular reference is made to Nigeria as a paradigm for trends and developments in Africa and the rest of the developing world. The increasing awareness of the potentiality of the arts in the development of culture requires an investigation into the public perspectives on the arts and culture. Little or no attention was, until recently, paid to this issue which has been a regular exercise in advanced countries. However, the paper observes that there is a lack of public awareness of the need to support the arts in performing its crucial roles in the development of culture; though respondents feel that the arts have the potential to promote their culture. Consequently, the way forward is for the government to develop an atmosphere in which both the arts and the artists can flourish.