Dr Eleonora Belfiore: The politics of cultural value: Towards an emancipatory framework

‘The politics of cultural value: Towards an emancipatory framework’ – interesting new post by Dr Eleonora Belfiore about whether cultural policy and arts funding can support social justice and emancipation. My feeling is, no. State policy and grant giving is always politically laden with issues of power. Only a utopian paradigm shift in how government works could possibly go some way to achieving this.

Nevertheless, this is an excellent project and its work with gypsies and travellers is close to my heart. Great people; not so sure about using an arts management co. called ‘Cultural Solutions’?

Cultural Value Project Blog

As a cultural policy scholar, the question of cultural value has always fascinated me, as it goes to the very core of how public policies for the arts and culture work. The reason for the centrality of the cultural value question to cultural, and more specifically arts policies (which is the area on which my own work focuses) has been explained very succinctly, but also compellingly, by Richard Hoggart in The Way We Live Now. Here Hoggart says that the problem is, quite simply, that “there will never be enough money”. As a result, “Choices will always have to be made, judgments-between”. These choices and ‘judgments-between’ are clearly both driven by, and the reflection of, a society’ predominant cultural values.

Whilst judgments of value are the bread and butter of cultural policies, the label ‘cultural value’ has captured the imagination of researchers, arts sector professionals and even creative producers in…

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‘Cultural Value’ and the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts

I attended a workshop at the University of Warwick on 9th July about Co-producing cultural policy.  The day was very, very interesting and frustrating at times.  I was guest blogger.  I wrote this.  It was originally published here: http://coculturalpolicy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/cultural-value-and-economic-and-social.html   A morning of valuing artists, museums as co-producers of ‘social justice’ and cultural value as…Read more ‘Cultural Value’ and the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts

‘Cultural Value’ and the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts

I attended a workshop at the University of Warwick on 9th July about Co-producing cultural policy.  The day was very, very interesting and frustrating at times.  I was guest blogger.  I wrote this.  It was originally published here: http://coculturalpolicy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/cultural-value-and-economic-and-social.html   A morning of valuing artists, museums as co-producers of ‘social justice’ and cultural value as…Read more ‘Cultural Value’ and the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts

Being good in the gallery

How do you behave in galleries? I like to be a bit naughty…

youth | culture

firstsite, Colchester

How do we know how to behave in galleries? What is the mark of a good gallery-goer? Public art institutions consistently seek to build new audiences, and to make those audiences feel welcome, but what actually happens when a visitor takes off her shoes, kicks back and makes herself at home? Galleries are often prone to using home or street-based analogies in their marketing. When Tate Britain re-launched after a major renovation last year for instance, it invited the public to a ‘House Warming Party’. Of course, this was quite unlike most house warming parties I’ve ever attended (less mess and drinking games) and it made me wonder how genuine the invitation to ‘party’ really was.

If you’ve grown up visiting exhibitions, then it’s likely you’ll be well versed in gallery etiquette. You’ll know what level to keep your voice at, how long to linger at a…

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Rethinking critical theory for our current arts & cultural situation: exploring socially engaged activism, tension & social justice

This is the second post about my work around developing my PhD research methodology.  It is about trying to develop a critical theory from past and current theoretical perspectives that might apply to our present twenty-first century arts arts and cultural milieu, dominated as it undeniably is by neoliberalism, conservatism and state instrumentalism.  This is…Read more Rethinking critical theory for our current arts & cultural situation: exploring socially engaged activism, tension & social justice

Artists’ Union England A new union for artists

Join Artists’ Union England…

theresa easton

Artists’ Union England was publicly launched in May 2014 by a cross section of artists in response to an evident need for representation from a trade union.

 A trade union is a democratic body which can represent our needs as artists collectively, which is accountable to its members and that will work on our behalf for fair pay and conditions. The Union is our opportunity to create a unique, sustainable and supportive infrastructure, which is built by and for its members, where artists are supported and not exploited.

Together we can challenge the economic inequalities in the art world. We will negotiate and campaign for equitable pay, better working conditions and to promote models of good practice. We are a democratic collective voice for artists  which believes in fair remuneration for labour, which should translate to a wage comparable to other professionals. We also believe that fair payment for artists…

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