Objectives of arts funding agencies often do not map well on to societal benefits

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe paper addresses in some detail the possible societal benefits of state expenditure on the arts, as opposed to the intrinsic or personal benefits. Three broad categories of societal benefit are posited, namely identity and social cohesion, experimental/innovative work and economic spill-over effects. The goals/objectives of the key funding agencies in Australia, England, Ireland and New Zealand are then examined, with a view to ascertaining to what extent they map on to societal benefits. The goal of equal access for all to the arts in particular is questioned. The paper concludes by addressing the issue of how evidence can, it at all, be provided for the existence of societal benefits from public funding of the arts.