Culturescope.ca - Cultural Policy 101: Demystifying the US Ecosystem<br><i>December 2006</i>

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Table of Contents

Cultural Policy 101: Demystifying the US Ecosystem

Introduction
Myth 1: The absence of a cultural ministry indicates that the United States does not value culture and does not take it seriously.
Constitutional Values and Identity

Myth 2: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the de facto Ministry of Culture.

Myth 3: The United States does not have national cultural policies.
The Federal Framework: Fostering Partnerships & Diversity
Cultural Policy at the State and Local Levels
Myth 4: Private and foundation investments in arts and culture are the prime source of income for the arts and cultural sector and are more than a sufficient source of support.

Myth 5: Exported cultural products represent American cultural values and international cultural policy priorities.
Exporting Culture
International Priorities
On the Horizon

Changing Demographics & Participation
Creative Sector
Conclusions

Disadvantages
Advantages
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Feature developed by Aimee Fullman, visiting expert to the Canadian Cultural Observatory and formerly of the Washington D.C.-based Center for Arts and Culture.

This piece was originally introduced at the November 4, 2006 In Focus Speakers’ Series Workshop on Demystifying Cultural Policy in the USA done in partnership with the Knowledge Centre of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The workshop featured keynote speaker Kevin Mulcahy, Sheldon Beychok Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Louisiana State University.

Special thanks to Heather De Santis, Manager, Americas and Asia Unit, International Relations and Outreach Directorate, Canadian Heritage, Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, President, Marlboro College, and Stefan Toepler, Assistant Professor, Nonprofit Studies, George Mason University, for their collaboration in the development of Cultural Policy 101: Demystifying the American Ecosystem.

The views and opinions in this paper reflect those of the author and do not necessarily represent the positions of the Department of Canadian Heritage or the Government of Canada.

For a more complete look at U.S. cultural policies please visit the Timeline of U.S. Cultural Policy Milestones-1787 to 2006.

Introduction

Global familiarity with American popular culture has led to some widely held misconceptions about American cultural values and the U.S.’s unique cultural policy system. These notions include:

Myth 1: The absence of a cultural ministry indicates that the United States does not value culture and does not take it seriously.

Myth 2: The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is the de facto Ministry of Culture.

Myth 3: The United States does not have national cultural policies.

Myth 4: Private and foundation investments in arts and culture are the prime source of income for the arts and cultural sector and are more than a sufficient source of support.

Myth 5: Exported cultural products represent American cultural values and international cultural policy priorities.

These myths represent misunderstandings about how the national, regional, local, and private sector participate in the American cultural ecosystem as well as how the United States hopes to position itself internationally. In reality, the United States has a decentralized system of cultural policy management that provides the guideposts to a cultural ecosystem designed to foster diversity through partnerships with key stakeholders in the states, local communities and the private and nonprofit sectors.

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Studies & Reports

Privatization or Cultural Darwinism: Perspectives on the American System of Cultural Patronage

"America is often viewed as a reluctant patron of culture; The American arts organization is typically a private, not-for-profit entity sponsored by individual and corporate donations and government grants; The U.S. entertainment culture is primarily composed of commercial enterprises such as film, music, video, theater and publishing"
Creator(s): Kevin Mulcahy (Professeur Distingué des Sciences Politique et d’Administration Publique avec spécialisation en Politique culturelle) Université de l’État de Louisiane à Bâton Rouge | Date Published: 2006

General Reference

Cultural Policy 101: Demystifying the US Ecosystem PDF

Without a cultural ministry how can the US care about culture? Does the US even have cultural policies? Aimee Fullman, formerly of the Washington-based Center for Arts & Culture, provides a primer on the most commonly held myths regarding the American cultural policy ecosystem.
Creator(s): Aimee Fullman | Date Published: 2006-12