Course Description
This course critically examines the role of public policy in shaping the structure, performance, and transformation of the creative and cultural economy. It explores how governments, institutions, and public agencies design regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and strategic interventions to support cultural production, innovation, inclusion, and economic development. The course situates cultural policy within broader debates on creative industries, urban development, digital transformation, and social value creation.
Students analyze policy instruments such as subsidies, tax incentives, public procurement, and innovation programs, assessing their impact on creative markets, entrepreneurial activity, and cultural participation. Particular attention is given to the interaction between public policy and digital platforms, globalization of cultural markets, and emerging creative technologies. Through comparative case studies and applied policy analysis, students develop the capacity to evaluate cultural policy effectiveness and design evidence-informed policy recommendations.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of cultural policy frameworks at national, European, and international levels
- Explain the economic and social rationales for public intervention in creative and cultural markets
- Analyze the relationship between cultural policy, innovation ecosystems, and creative entrepreneurship
Skills
- Conduct policy analysis using qualitative and quantitative evaluation tools
- Assess the impact of funding instruments and regulatory mechanisms on creative industries
- Develop evidence-based policy recommendations for cultural and creative sector development
Competencies
- Integrate economic, social, and cultural perspectives in policy evaluation
- Critically assess policy trade-offs between market efficiency, cultural diversity, and public value
- Apply policy literacy to strategic planning within creative organizations and ventures
Key Topics Covered
- Theoretical foundations of cultural policy and public intervention
- Creative economy frameworks and industry mapping
- Public funding models and subsidy mechanisms
- Regulation of intellectual property and digital content markets
- Cultural policy and innovation ecosystems
- Urban cultural development and creative clusters
- Inclusion, access, and cultural diversity policies
- Policy evaluation and impact measurement methodologies
- Digital transformation and platform governance in cultural sectors
- Comparative international cultural policy models