Economic Crisis Hinders Youth Participation in Arts and Culture Activities

Deepening economic troubles are weakening the bond that youth and university students establish with arts and culture events. The fact that scholarships and incomes fall short of covering basic needs causes young people to move away from artistic activities and prioritize survival.

The Effects of Financial Hardship

Young people, who are forced to cut from their nutrition budgets for concert tickets or theater plays, cannot attend arts and culture events due to rising costs. While artistic activities become a luxury for students struggling to cover their basic needs with their scholarships, working students have to budget both time and money.

Challenges Faced by Students

Twenty-one-year-old journalism student Sudenaz Güleryüz states that the 4,000 lira KYK scholarship is not even enough to cover nutrition expenses, that long budget planning must be done to attend a single event per month, and that the priority is survival. Twenty-three-year-old working student Vedat Korkmaz expresses that he returns home tired in the evenings due to classes and heavy work schedules, and gives up on arts and culture expenditures because of his limited income.

Obstacles in Production Processes

Economic conditions negatively affect not only the consumption side but also the production side. Musician Beliz emphasizes that recording and stage expenses limit her work, concerts can be canceled depending on ticket sales, and the income obtained is spent directly on reproduction.

Research Results and Data

The 2024 Needs of University Youth Research prepared by KONDA for the Community Volunteers Foundation reveals that 78 percent of students cannot go to a culture and art event they want to attend due to financial impossibilities, and 53 percent cannot feed adequately. In addition, according to the report published by İKSV in January 2024, 81 percent of urban residents across Turkey participate in cultural events less than they desire.