From Creative Nations to Creative Cities: An example of center–periphery dynamic in cultural policies

Abstract

Based on the theoretical framework developed by Bonet and Négrier (2010), we will analyze the dialectic between cultural policies and the center–periphery dynamic: the tension between legitimization and efficiency on the one hand, and on the other, the combination of differentiation and standardization. In the second part, we will consider the tensions between the principles of legitimacy and of efficiency in cultural policies as they manifest themselves within the center–periphery dynamic. Here, we will also devote some time to studying the implementation of the arts council’s model in Quebec and Catalonia. In the third part, we will expand upon factors such as the institutional system, the market, the non-profit sector, and the political strategies which influence the expansion of the concept of ‘Creative Cities’ revealing a general shift of cultural policies towards sub-national, regional and local policies, before concluding on a more general note.