- 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]