1st Edition
Cultural Governance Current and Future European Perspectives
Cultural governance is currently regarded as a transversal element of public policy in Europe. This book brings together academics and policy practitioners to provide new insights into the field, exploring its contemporary dynamics, dilemmas and challenges.
In light of the Cyprus Presidency in 2026, the authors reflect on the breadth and boundaries of cultural governance in a European perspective, the role of international institutions, such as UNESCO and the EU, and the frameworks and dilemmas of cultural governance as a dedicated practice. Particular attention is given to the relationship between culture and human creativity, to cultural rights and to climate breakdown, placing cultural governance at the heart of integrated public policy.
As a key contribution that enriches the field of cultural policy, this book is essential reading for academics and offers guidance for concerted action for policymakers and legislators.
PART I - The Dynamics of Culture and Cultural Governance
1. The Dynamics of Culture – Towards governance of cultural space
Geert Drion
2. Cultural Governance: concepts and approaches
Thomas Schmitt
3. The Ecology of Culture - From Theory to Practice
John Holden
4. Beyond “Policy-Based” Cultural Governance: Caring for Cultural Needs
Nick Wilson and Jonathan Gross
5. Institutional Trust and Cultural Governance
Ian W. King and Annick Schramme
6. Transformation and Place - Reflecting on the culture of governance and the governance of culture
Charles Landry
PART II - Cultural Governance in a European perspective
7. From cultural policy to cultural governance, a European perspective
Elena Theodoulou Charalambous
8. Challenges and Opportunities for Joined-Up Governance of EUropean International Cultural Relations
Carla Figueira and Rod Fisher
9. Platformisation: the challenges new technologies create for cultural governance in Europe - and beyond
Antonios Vlassis
10. Europe in the World: Towards Global Cultural Citizenship
Yudhishthir Raj Isar
11. European Cultural Policy and Climate Action
Gijs De Vries
12. Data persons in digital culture
Olga Goriunova
13. UNESCO’s 2005 Convention: From Creative Economy to Culture as Foundational
Justin O'Connor
Biography
Chris Bailey is Professor Emeritus of Cultural History at Leeds Beckett University and Visiting Professor in the Business School at York St. John University, UK.
Elena Theodoulou Charalambous has a long-standing professional experience in cultural policy-making both at national as well as at European level with substantial research on cultural governance and international cultural affairs.
Geert Drion is an independent researcher and consultant. He is currently researching the process-conception of culture, cultural communication and cultural policy.
