Paradoxes and contradictions in government approaches to contemporary cultural policy: an Australian perspective1

Abstract: Globalisation poses interesting challenges but does not undermine the ability of government to make decisions about cultural policy at a state, national or regional level. On the contrary, government has never been so active in cultural matters, adding support for lifestyle and cultural infrastructure to existing concerns with traditional arts forms. The dilemma for government, rather, is to find a rationale for an increasingly fragmented approach to state intervention on cultural matters. The model provided by contemporary economic policy, which favours industry development over individual projects, has some salience, and has encouraged a new emphasis on cultural industries. But the industry development approach cannot resolve fundamental issues around popular and elite arts. Using Australian case studies, this paper explores the competing logics of much cultural policy—and the likelihood government will live with inconsistency rather than pay the price of choosing one policy approach over all others.