Reconceptualizing cultural participation in Europe: Grey literature review

Cultural policies have been dealing with access and participation in culture for a long time. However, recent changes in digital technologies, in modes of media consumption and in the nature and structure of leisure-time activities, have changed the usual cultural audiences. On the other side, economic crisis and cuts in public spending on arts have put additional pressure on cultural organizations. Consequently, cultural professionals are urged to constantly look for new ways of engaging their audiences and maintaining their relevance in the local, national or international milieu. The upcoming EU cultural programme, Creative Europe, strives to support cultural organizations and artists in their efforts by emphasizing the importance of developing new ways of engaging audiences across Europe. The report reviewed here is one of the several documents recently published in the EU on this topic and represents a valuable contribution to the growing discussion on cultural participation. The review offers an overview of the document and its background. Discussion is further developed around important aspects of the report including the methodology applied and the articulation of audience activity in the document.