Creative Lives Monitor 2026 - Results

The annual health-check of grassroots creativity across the UK & Ireland

Participation in grassroots creativity is thriving - but the vital community infrastructure that makes it possible faces collapse.

The Creative Lives Monitor measures the capacity, resilience and connections of local creative groups across the UK & Ireland. This report presents the findings from our 2026 research, and considers how both Creative Lives and the wider landscape can respond.

This year’s Creative Lives Monitor report demonstrates that local creative groups are in high demand, have significant social impact, and are characterised by resilience and determination. However, a fast-changing world and systemic challenges result in burn-out, financial volatility and disconnection.

The key findings

Groups are financially fragile, with the cost-of-living crisis increasing outgoings and reducing income.
There is a huge demand for creative activity, but it isn’t equally spread - with protected groups often underserved.
An ageing population means ageing leadership, and urgent challenges about who will take on the mantle.
The struggle to access appropriate, affordable and accessible venues continues to hinder groups and those they support.
Groups are isolated from, and struggle to establish meaningful connections with, local authorities and other civic infrastructure, reducing their impact.

Read the full report

We have also put together some resources to help local creative groups spread the message.

“My own journey started in local youth theatre, so I know exactly how powerful grassroots creativity is for bringing people together. It’s the heartbeat of our communities across the UK and Ireland, including here in Scotland where around 4,000 local creative groups do incredible work every day. But as the new Creative Lives Monitor shows, this vital sector is on a knife-edge and urgently needs our support to keep thriving.”

Sam Heughan, star of Outlander

“The arts have profound benefits for individuals and communities, but to realise these benefits, we need accessible and sustainable creative opportunities in every community. Sadly, many of the UK & Ireland's grassroots creative groups are facing profound challenges. The Creative Lives Monitor 2026 is essential reading. It provides crucial, up-to-date evidence about the experiences of these creative groups, the challenges they are facing, and what support they urgently need.”

Professor Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure

“This year the Creative Lives Monitor reflects the experiences of over a million people, and serves as both a unifying picture and a clarion call for better recognition of the huge value that local creative groups bring to people and communities across the UK & Ireland. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in the research, and shared such detailed and thoughtful responses.

Ours is an unsung sector that consistently overdelivers. It’s also in vital need of support, with almost three quarters of groups not having the resources they need. At Creative Lives, we’re committed to using the Monitor’s findings to directly shape our work, including our support to groups, how we champion them and how we advocate on their behalf.”

Max May, Chief Executive, Creative Lives

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].