What instrumentalism? A public perception of value

Routledge, December 2008, England

What instrumentalism? A public perception of value 
Author: Catherine Bunting a
Affiliation:    a Arts Council England, UK

DOI: 10.1080/09548960802615463
Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year
Published in:  Cultural Trends, Volume 17, Issue 4 December 2008 , pages 323 - 328
Subjects: Cultural Studies; Media & Film Studies;
Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)
Article Requests: Order Reprints : Request Permissions

Abstract
In recent years there has been much debate about the perceived “instrumentalism” of arts policy, suggesting a lack of clarity and consensus about the outcomes that arts policy should seek to achieve. In 2006 Arts Council England set out to address this through a major public inquiry. The inquiry involved research and consultation to explore how members of the public value the arts and their priorities for public funding. This article describes how participants approached the question of value in different contexts and how views shifted over the course of the inquiry. It shows how initial views focused on the “intrinsic” value of the arts that people experience as individual consumers. Introducing the concept of public funding prompted a move to more “instrumental” concerns. The process of deliberation resulted in a balanced view, where the arts were seen to make a positive contribution to society providing the experience is enriching and enjoyed by large and diverse numbers of people. The article concludes by considering some of the policy implications of the findings and highlighting the need for the Arts Council to build legitimacy through ongoing dialogue and debate.

external link >

Show latest news, more from December 2008.