The social impacts of the arts – myth or reality?

Cultural policy is considered, at least traditionally, the Cinderella of the public policy sphere. As an area of low priority in political discourse, the cultural sector has only ever attracted a modest proportion of public expenditure. Public spending on the arts is still significantly lower, proportionately, to spending on other sectors of the welfare system (education, social and health services, etc.). Nevertheless, there is little doubt that in recent years the arts and culture have gained a much more central role in public policy debate.