An article identified three different perspectives on the role of culture in city development in Europe: creative cities (culture as developmental policy); planning or educational cities (welfare policy); and a cultural scenes approach that stressed cultural consumption (transversal policy).
Source: Clemente Navarro and Terry Clark, 'Cultural policy in European cities: an analysis from the cultural agenda of mayors', European Societies, Volume 14 Issue 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Dec
An article examined different ways of representing and understanding cultural participation. Not taking part in 'highbrow' cultural activities was the norm. What mattered for health and well-being appeared to be participation per se, and more work was therefore required to understand the value and significance of informal and everyday cultural practices. But in view of the continuing role of culture in the inter-generational transmission of economic and social inequalities, policies were also needed to promote cultural 'omnivorousness' and tackle disengagement.
Source: Andrew Miles and Alice Sullivan, 'Understanding participation in culture and sport: mixing methods, reordering knowledges', Cultural Trends, Volume 21 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Dec
An article examined data from the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) in order to understand cultural activity within Scotland. There were general difficulties measuring 'culture': but overall the SHS provided adequate national data on cultural participation and attendance. However, the SHS could not provide in-depth local level information, and provided limited data on non-participants. Overall, the SHS was a useful policy tool: but more could be done to utilize the data that it could provide on the Scottish cultural sector.
Source: Vikki McCall and Christopher Playford, 'Culture and the Scottish Household Survey', Cultural Trends, Volume 21 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
An article identified 'defensive instrumentalism' as a main feature of New Labour's cultural policies (1997-2010). Instrumental arguments to defend the arts were not new: but previously they had been built into a more constructive and creative theory of the arts, and of their effects on individual and societies.
Source: Eleonora Belfiore, ' Defensive instrumentalism and the legacy of New Labour's cultural policies', Cultural Trends, Volume 21 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-May
An article examined the role of a 'creative underclass' in transforming the character of a local area in London (Camden Town). The area was a mature cultural quarter with a contradictory mix of affluent middle-class and homeless people; counter-cultural groups and tourists; participants in the night-time economy and shopkeepers. The patterns of cultural production and consumption in the area were complicated and had deep historical roots.
Source: Galina Gornostaev and Noel Campbell, 'The creative underclass in the production of place: example of Camden Town In London', Journal of Urban Affairs, Volume 34 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2012-Apr
An independent review (by Darren Henley) said that cultural education in England was 'patchy', and that the government should consider making pupils study the arts up to the age of 16.
Source: Cultural Education in England, Department for Education
Links: Report | Hansard | DE press release | ATL press release | NUT press release | Guardian report | Museums Journal report | Telegraph report
Date: 2012-Feb