Study highlights link between cultural engagement and workforce levels

A new study from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) reveals a strong correlation between the number of people working in arts, culture, and heritage occupations in English local authorities and the rates of public participation in cultural activities. Analyzing data from DCMS's Participation Survey 2023–24 and the Office of National Statistics Labour Force Survey, the report found the strongest link between cultural employment and art gallery attendance, followed by literary events and live dance. London boroughs dominated the top rankings, with Cambridge, Brighton and Hove, Oxford, Bristol, and Waverley also showing high correlations, though exceptions like Stoke-on-Trent and York highlighted local variations in specific art forms.

Cultural heritage reform. The 'Italia in scena' law gives some answers but raises many questions

Riforma dei beni culturali. La legge “Italia in scena” dà alcune risposte ma produce tante domande

Italy's parliament approved the "Italia in scena" law in March 2026, a cultural heritage reform aligned with right-wing priorities: territorial valorization, local identity promotion, autonomy, and private-sector involvement. The law establishes a digital registry (Anagrafe), a roster of accredited operators, and a framework for private management of cultural assets, but allocates only €4.5 million annually—a symbolic sum compared to France's cultural mediation budgets. It also opens participation to the Third Sector (cooperatives, community foundations) but defers all critical details to implementing decrees with no strict deadlines or enforcement mechanisms.