Hardback
The State and the Arts
An Analysis of Key Economic Policy Issues in Europe and the United States
9781858982878 Edward Elgar Publishing
At a time when state assistance to the arts sector has come under considerable scrutiny both in Europe and the United States, this book comprehensively examines the evolution of, and rationale for, state involvement with the so-called ‘high’ arts on both continents. It offers an overview of the key economic issues arising in relation to the state and the arts in these regions, with a detailed analysis of the European and American models of state assistance to the high arts sector.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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At a time when state assistance to the arts sector has come under considerable scrutiny both in Europe and the United States, this book comprehensively examines the evolution of, and rationale for, state involvement with the so-called ‘high’ arts on both continents. This book offers an overview of the key economic issues arising in relation to the state and the arts in these regions, with a detailed analysis of the European and American models of state assistance to the high arts sector.
John O’Hagan examines in detail the various channels – regulation, taxation and direct expenditure – through which the state interacts with the arts and compares and contrasts the experiences of America and Europe. Regulatory measures considered include the guarantee of artistic freedom, copyright, resale royalties for artists, and trade restrictions. He also considers taxation measures to support the arts, including deductions for charitable contributions to the arts, property tax exemption, and relief on artists’ income. The discussion on direct expenditure covers state ownership of institutions, revenue funding and matching grants as well as new avenues of expenditure such as community arts/arts centres, and new revenue sources for this expenditure, such as lottery funding. Finally the book covers the non-profit making arts sector, and examines why it, and not the commercial sector, receives private and state funding.
The State and the Arts will be indispensable for students and academics of public and social policy, cultural economics and public management. It will also be of considerable interest to policymakers and key players in the arts sector.
John O’Hagan examines in detail the various channels – regulation, taxation and direct expenditure – through which the state interacts with the arts and compares and contrasts the experiences of America and Europe. Regulatory measures considered include the guarantee of artistic freedom, copyright, resale royalties for artists, and trade restrictions. He also considers taxation measures to support the arts, including deductions for charitable contributions to the arts, property tax exemption, and relief on artists’ income. The discussion on direct expenditure covers state ownership of institutions, revenue funding and matching grants as well as new avenues of expenditure such as community arts/arts centres, and new revenue sources for this expenditure, such as lottery funding. Finally the book covers the non-profit making arts sector, and examines why it, and not the commercial sector, receives private and state funding.
The State and the Arts will be indispensable for students and academics of public and social policy, cultural economics and public management. It will also be of considerable interest to policymakers and key players in the arts sector.
Critical Acclaim
‘O’Hagan has taken on a difficult task indeed in trying to sort through the evidence on the state and the arts. He has opened the door to numerous potential research papers, and made clear the need for much more work to be done in the area of data classification and collection. He has also done the
valuable task of pulling together previous research from a variety of sources, many of which will not be familiar to economists. I will be consulting this book often.’
– Michael Rushton, Journal of Cultural Economics
‘It is the best and most systematic book on the economics of cultural policy yet . . . The chapter on art museums is especially well organised and is a model for the organization of books written for ordinary people, rather than committed professional economists.’
– Southern Economic Journal
‘An excellent book . . . As a feedback from a non-economist and non-English speaker I must say that this is an extremely clear and interesting book, not to mention how useful it would be for us.’
– Paula Karhunen, Arts Council of Finland, Finland
‘. . . the book will soon be standard reference not only for government involvement in the arts but for arts economics as a whole.’
– Günther Schulze, University of Konstanz, Germany
‘. . . perfect for a graduate course in the field. . . . very well selected topics, and everything very nicely done. . . . I will certainly use it.’
– Victor Ginsburgh, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
‘The word judicious comes to mind when reading this book. Nowhere have I seen a better presentation of the arguments for and against government subsidy of the arts. Whether it concerns the tax system, direct grants, or policies towards art museums, O’Hagan has a keen and unerring eye for which features of the issue are salient. . . . In each case the book can be read with profit by a wide range of individuals, from economics of the arts specialists to arts practitioners to advanced undergraduates. The generality of the appeal, without sacrificing quality analysis, is perhaps the book’s greater virtue. . . . At the end the reader is left wanting more. . .’
– Tyler Cowen, Journal of Economic Literature
‘This is a well researched, well written and enlightening book.’
– Economic Outlook and Business Review
valuable task of pulling together previous research from a variety of sources, many of which will not be familiar to economists. I will be consulting this book often.’
– Michael Rushton, Journal of Cultural Economics
‘It is the best and most systematic book on the economics of cultural policy yet . . . The chapter on art museums is especially well organised and is a model for the organization of books written for ordinary people, rather than committed professional economists.’
– Southern Economic Journal
‘An excellent book . . . As a feedback from a non-economist and non-English speaker I must say that this is an extremely clear and interesting book, not to mention how useful it would be for us.’
– Paula Karhunen, Arts Council of Finland, Finland
‘. . . the book will soon be standard reference not only for government involvement in the arts but for arts economics as a whole.’
– Günther Schulze, University of Konstanz, Germany
‘. . . perfect for a graduate course in the field. . . . very well selected topics, and everything very nicely done. . . . I will certainly use it.’
– Victor Ginsburgh, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
‘The word judicious comes to mind when reading this book. Nowhere have I seen a better presentation of the arguments for and against government subsidy of the arts. Whether it concerns the tax system, direct grants, or policies towards art museums, O’Hagan has a keen and unerring eye for which features of the issue are salient. . . . In each case the book can be read with profit by a wide range of individuals, from economics of the arts specialists to arts practitioners to advanced undergraduates. The generality of the appeal, without sacrificing quality analysis, is perhaps the book’s greater virtue. . . . At the end the reader is left wanting more. . .’
– Tyler Cowen, Journal of Economic Literature
‘This is a well researched, well written and enlightening book.’
– Economic Outlook and Business Review
Contents
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction Part I: Policy Rationale: Why the State gets Involved 2. Non-Private Benefits 3. Information Failures and Distributional Issues Part II: Policy Implementation: How the State gets Involved 4. Regulation 5. Taxation 6. Direct Expenditures Part III: Sectoral Policy Issues: Effects of State Involvement 7. Art Museums 8. Performing Arts Institutions Index
