CULTURAL IMPACT

Measuring the impact of culture on jobs and growth

 

 

 

By Androulla VASSILIOU

Evidence-based policymaking has become a bit of a mantra lately. It is true that, especially in times of financial austerity, policy proposals must be backed by sound evidence. The cultural and creative sectors are no exception - and this in no way undermines the intrinsic value of culture as a public good.

 

We have seen that these sectors already contribute significantly to Europe's economy. We know that they have the potential of contributing even more. I will not repeat the well-known figures about the cultural and creative sectors in terms of economic output and job creation.

 

I will only stress here that the cultural and creative sectors represent close to one million, mostly small, businesses – a particularity which should be taken into account.

 

At the same time, we see a worrying trend among budgetary authorities who look at arts and culture as a luxury and a cost rather than as an investment. Public budgets are slashed accordingly.

 

I do not suggest that we should succumb to the pressure of the economic argument, but I call for what I consider a tactical approach.

 

If we wish to sound convincing when talking about the contribution of culture to the economy and the society, we need tools at hand.

 

We need evaluation and measurement methods which can capture the full range of impacts that culture and the arts have on the economy and on society. We need to map spill-over effects on other sectors and we need to start quantifying them.

 

Those of you present today are convinced about the economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors for contributing to a job-rich recovery in Europe. However, in order to make a persuasive case to those who may not be convinced – and it is often they who decide on budgets - we need to present evidence that is systematic, comprehensive and compelling.

 

Some data exists of course. About a year ago, I proposed a Communication on promoting the cultural and creative sectors, urging Member States to develop integrated long-term strategies at the national and regional level. Our political message then was backed by data. But work on building evidence is never stopping. For instance, we have seen the sectors to be resilient to the economic downturn starting in 2008, but we need to know how they are behaving against the backdrop of a continuing recession.

 

Data need to be updated. They need to be expanded, honed and refined so that we can establish a solid evidence base for adapting our policies and developing new initiatives.

 

With their unique combination of scientific research knowledge and EU policy experience, our colleagues at the Joint Research Centre can help to improve how we measure the impact of culture and develop adapted indicators. Science has a key role to play in providing better metrics and stronger evidence and supporting effective policy-making at all levels: local, regional, national and European.

 

When we speak about evidence-based policy-making for the cultural and creative sectors we should have in mind two things: quality statistics and illustrative examples. Let me explain what I mean.

Quality statistics can capture the economic and societal weight of the cultural and creative sectors (for instance: contribution to the GDP, employment), the specificities of these sectors (for example the size and profile of the businesses involved) and the horizontal aspects linked with culture and the activities it generates: cultural participation, values, spill-over effects.

 

I believe that statistics must be complemented by illustrative examples. A sound analysis of concrete examples of the positive impacts of cultural and creative sectors on local economies and societies should be an integral part of evidence building methodologies. Such an analysis can help, for instance, to identify systemic elements which determine success or failure.

 

This is especially relevant when it comes to local and regional development strategies.

 

But what have we done so far in the area of cultural statistics and examples?

 

The European Agenda for Culture adopted in 2007 calls for evidence-based policy and the two Council Work Plans since 2008 identified as a priority improving the collection and comparability of cultural statistics at European level.

 

With regard to statistics, useful groundwork is being conducted by Eurostat. Last year the European Statistical System Network Culture – which was set up under the auspices of Eurostat - proposed a new conceptual and operational statistical framework for the cultural sector. The aim is to create a common statistical language for all EU Member States and, ultimately, data comparable across the European Union.

 

This is only a starting point. My services are intensifying cooperation with Eurostat to improve cultural statistics - in particular on cultural employment. I am keen to see precise figures on employment in the cultural and creative Sectors, in particular as regards young people.

 

However, further work on statistics requires a mobilization of resources on all sides.

We need to look into what can be done now by the Commission and the Member States, individually and working together.

 

Let me now turn to a concrete example which captures well the two topics discussed today: spill-over effects and development of cities and regions.

 

The European Capitals of Culture is an obvious, yet modest, case in point.

 

The award of the title for the European Capital of Culture sets in motion a long-term process that can change a city, its image, its cultural sector and its citizens. The economic and social benefits that are generated, in terms of tourism, branding, growth and social inclusion, are felt for many years after the event. But we need to systematically collect and study these benefits.

 

In addition, I would like to single out some spill-over effects that are worth stressing: the development of skills and the creation of job opportunities, innovation and branding, creative content and new technologies, regional development, and social inclusion.

 

As European Commissioner in charge of both education and culture, I attach particular attention to creative partnerships and knowledge alliances between higher education and businesses, including creative businesses.

 

Such partnerships allow us to identify the needs of the sector and help develop skills to address labour market shortages. I believe that this approach is key to promoting youth employment in creative industries.

 

The impact of design in adding value to products and services in traditional manufacturing industries is an obvious example when talking about culture and innovation. European design is one of Europe's great competitive advantages.

 

Firms that invest in creative input are far more likely to introduce product innovation and so maintain their competitive edge.

 

In the area of ICTs, artistic achievements and 'creative content' feed broadband networks,

computers and consumer electronic devices. We need reliable evidence to capture this reality and to support the place of the cultural and creative sectors in the digital value chain.

 

In terms of regional development, urban regeneration through cultural projects has repeatedly proved to be a winning formula. Just think of the Ruhr region in Germany, a successful example of cultural cooperation among 53 cities.

 

Finally, artistic interventions help to increase the effectiveness of different social policies, with positive effects on social inclusion and well-being. Participating in cultural activities helps to create in people a sense of belonging and shared purpose, and can prevent social exclusion – something which is not negligible at times like today where we see phenomena of extremism and xenophobia in different parts of Europe.

 

There is no lack of examples about the positive spill-over effects of culture. What we lack is a systematic analysis of this body of evidence.

 

What we need is to develop our capacity to derive economic models from examples such as those I've given. It is here that the Joint Research Centre has a crucial role to play by addressing the fragmentation of existing evidence and improving the methodologies used for analysing it.

 

A joint effort of all stakeholders and diverse expertise are required.

 

I am convinced that closer cooperation with the Joint Research Centre in the field of cultural and creative sectors can serve as the much-needed 'knowledge broker' between research and policy. The representatives of the sector should be also on board.

 

We could try together to mobilise networks of regions, cities and cultural operators to make a critical mass of raw information available for testing models on real data. In addition, this work should also be coordinated with relevant work on enterprise and industrial policy, the digital agenda and regional and urban development.

 

Schools dumbdown children.  It's a ridiculous terror to jail children in schools for sixteen years in order to brainwash them and keep teachers busy!  Basil Venitis, venitis@gmail.com, http://themostsearched.blogspot.com, @Venitis