A report examined the issue of sexualization, which it said had become a political and policy issue that was often misunderstood. The report brought together a multi-disciplinary group of writers to outline research on a range of issues to clarify the extent of existing knowledge. The report focused on the United Kingdom, but included research from a range of countries where appropriate. Chapters covered: sexuality; social change and sex; sex, gender and media; and young people, sex, and sexuality.
Source: Feona Attwood, Clare Bale, and Meg Barker, The Sexualization Report
Links: Report | CCIG press release
Date: 2013-Dec
A new book examined contemporary cultural policy. It drew on a range of case studies, including analysis of the reality of work in the creative industries, urban regeneration, and government cultural policy. It discussed the idea of 'value' in the cultural sector.
Source: Dave O'Brien, Cultural Policy: Management, value and modernity in the creative industries, Routledge
Links: Summary
Date: 2013-Sep
A report by a committee of MPs said that the success of the creative industries risked being jeopardized by a dilution of intellectual property rights and the failure to tackle online piracy. It 'strongly condemned' the failure of Google in particular to tackle infringement of copyright issues.
Source: Supporting the Creative Economy, Third Report (Session 2013-14), HC 674, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, TSO
Links: Report | Additional written evidence | Committee press release
Date: 2013-Sep
A study examined the relationship between taking part in cultural and sporting activities, attending cultural places, and key quality of life measures in Scotland. There was consistent evidence that people who participated in culture and sport or attended cultural places or events were more likely to report that their health was good and that they were satisfied with their life than those who did not participate. This finding remained true even when other factors were accounted for such as age, economic status, income, area deprivation, and education qualification.
Source: Clare Leadbetter and Niamh O Connor, Healthy Attendance? The impact of cultural engagement and sports participation on health and satisfaction with life in Scotland, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Aug
Three linked articles examined ways in which artistic and cultural activities could promote health and well-being.
Source: Marsaili Cameron, Nikki Crane, Richard Ings, and Karen Taylor, 'Promoting well-being through creativity: how arts and public health can learn from each other', Perspectives in Public Health, Volume 133 Number 1 | Hilary Bungay and Trish Vella-Burrows, 'The effects of participating in creative activities on the health and well-being of children and young people: a rapid review of the literature', Perspectives in Public Health, Volume 133 Number 1 | Kerrie Margrove, SE-SURG (South Essex Service User Research Group), Kirsten Heydinrych, and Jenny Secker, 'Waiting list-controlled evaluation of a participatory arts course for people experiencing mental health problems', Perspectives in Public Health, Volume 133 Number 1
Links: Abstract (1) | Abstract (2) | Abstract (3)
Date: 2013-Jan