Research has shown that participation in the arts is not only important for creative development but also for the emotional and social progress of young people. Artistic activities can have a positive impact on mental health, stress reduction, and the development of self-esteem. Therefore, this study on the leisure time of young people in the Republic of Croatia, with a particular focus on their artistic activities, aims to understand how much and in what way young people spend their free time engaging in artistic activities and how they perceive the importance of art in their lives. The conducted research reveals the level of participation in activities such as painting, singing, playing instruments, photography, and visiting cultural institutions. It also examines young people's attitudes towards art and the significance of art in everyday life. One of the key findings shows that most young people have more than three hours of free time per day, which aligns with previous research. However, despite having enough time, young people generally do not visit cultural institutions and do not regularly participate in artistic activities, highlighting the need for further promotion of artistic activities among youth. Most young people believe that art enriches life and stimulates reflection, but their actual participation in artistic activities does not reflect this positive attitude. These findings suggest that while young people recognize the theoretical importance of art, in practice, they encounter barriers such as a lack of interest, motivation, or available opportunities to participate. The analyzed data provide a deeper insight into young people's attitudes towards art and their participation in artistic activities.