RETHINKING THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE ARTS |
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Authors: | Eleonora Belfiore Oliver Bennett |
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Institution: | 1. Centre for Cultural Policy Studies , University of Warwick , Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK Phone: +44 2476 528425 E-mail: E.Belfiore@warwick.ac.uk;2. Centre for Cultural Policy Studies , University of Warwick , Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK Phone: +44 2476 524399 E-mail: o.bennett@warwick.ac.uk |
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Abstract: | The paper presents a critical discussion of the current debate over the social impacts of the arts in the UK. It argues that the accepted understanding of the terms of the debate is rooted in a number of assumptions and beliefs that are rarely questioned. The paper goes on to present the interim findings of a three‐year research project, which aims to rethink the social impact of the arts, with a view to determining how these impacts might be better understood. The desirability of a historical approach is articulated, and a classification of the claims made within the Western intellectual tradition for what the arts “do” to people is presented and discussed. |
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Keywords: | social impacts of the arts cultural history civilising mission intellectuals and cultural policy unconscious and unmeasurable impacts negative impacts evidence‐based policy |
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