What do the public think about the future of local cultural decision making?

Research Paper

Author

Thinks Insight & Strategy

Description

This research paper reports on a series of public focus groups conducted across the UK to understand how citizens perceive culture, creativity and local decision-making. It reveals a public deeply invested in cultural life but sceptical about how decisions are made and who benefits from them. Participants expressed strong appetite for transparency, fairness and a greater local voice in funding and governance. The study shows that people view culture as vital to community wellbeing and local identity but disconnected from everyday politics. The authors conclude that devolved cultural systems will only succeed if they meaningfully engage citizens, communicate the value of cultural investment clearly, and build visible pathways for community influence in decision-making.

Published as part of The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK.

July 2024