Comparing Cultural Policy

• 1. Comparative Cultural Policy Analysis: A Methodological Proposal Ximena Varela Associate Professor, Arts Management American University Prepared for presentation at the 2013 Social Theory, Politics and the Arts Conference Seattle University, October 2013

2. Apology [email protected] 3. Agenda The Problem(s) Some Approaches Shift in Focus Proposed Methodology Methodology in Action Limitations 4. The Problem(s) Comparing things is hard Knowing what to compare is hard Cultural policy is multi-layered and complex Definitions vary widely Some categories resist comparison Data sources are spotty 5. Some Approaches Borrow methods (esp. Political Science) Comparison of narratives and discourse Historical comparisons Compare when definitions are the same (if data available) Compare available data (squidgy definitions) 6. Shift in Focus From institutions to arenas From core definitions to functions Comparison of arenas of cultural action 7. Proposed Methodology Arenas of cultural action Preservation Dissemination Creation Research Education Training Animation 8. Proposed Methodology (cont.) AwardsPreservation Dissemination Creation Research EducationTraining AnimationCompetitionsFacilitiesLawsEmployment 9. Methodology in Action Comparison of Arena of Preservation at the national level Country ACountry BCountry CNoneBest new initiativeNoneCompetitions Cost-cutting innovative solutionsNoneProject proposalsFacilitiesNoneNone, but outsourced to Country A through federal programAwardsConservatio n center in major museum 10. Limitations Outcome metrics unspecified Relies on thoroughness of researcher to map accurately 11. Comparative Cultural Policy Analysis: A Methodological Proposal Ximena Varela Associate Professor, Arts Management American UniversityPrepared for presentation at the 2013 Social Theory, Politics and the Arts Conference Seattle University, October 2013 [email protected]