| Abstract: |
The basic distinction made in this volume compares “economic value”, expressed
in monetary terms, to “cultural value”, reflecting cultural, aesthetic and
artistic significance. This paper makes a different distinction which is
rarely made explicit but which is of central importance to the decision
process in cultural policy. On the one hand, “value” is attached to the
economic effects of cultural activities: When cultural values are created,
economic activity is bolstered. The increase of commercial actitivities
induced is measured by the so-called “impact effect”. On the other hand, the
value of culture is reflected in the increased utility going to consumers and
non-consumers of a particular cultural activity. This type of value is
measured by “willingness to pay studies”. I argue that these two values
dominate cultural policy but they capture totally different aspects and are
proferred by different kinds of communities. |