Cultural capital and demand

In this paper we develop a theoretical model that investigates the demand for cultural goods under the assumption of cultural capital and rational addiction. We also consider the effect of a policy intervention in order to raise the initial stock of cultural capital of a given individual, both on individual demand and on supply. Finally, we discuss on the effectiveness of such policies by translating our model to a dynamic framework.cultural capital

Demand for Cultural Heritage

Prepared for the Handbook of the Economics of Cultural Heritage. Forthcoming in Edgard Elgar Publisher. Anna Mignosa and Ilde Rizzo (editors)cultural economics, demand, cultural heritage, participation in the arts, SPPA2008

Demand for Cultural Heritage

Prepared for the Handbook of the Economics of Cultural Heritage. Forthcoming in Edgard Elgar Publisher. Anna Mignosa and Ilde Rizzo (editors)The concept of cultural heritage has experienced a process of extension during the past few decades. Because it is a cultural construction, it is subject to differences in appreciation based on contextual and institutional factors (Hutter and Rizzo, 1997; Peacock, 1998). Social consensus has established that there are elements of cultural capital that deserve protection. Therefore, institutional arrangements, including, conventions and legal categories, have been developed to ensure preservation and transmission of that legacy from the past (even the recent past) to future generations. The increase in the number of cultural assets that contemporary societies considered to be elements of their cultural heritage can be attributed to two main factors: administrative processes linked to preservation policies that rely on additions, such that new single elements are added each day, and to the consideration of new categories and typologies (Benhamou, 1996 and 2003; Vecco, 2010). The first of these processes is related to supply arguments. The second process is related to demand driven arguments: a demand for the extension of typologies; the close association between heritage elements in an integral approach and the contexts of the heritage elements; the shift in selection criteria from objective criteria (such as the traditional historic and artistic values) to subjective and broader criteria (Vecco, 2010); and the increasing importance of immaterial categories.The author acknowledges the financial support from the Basque Government (research grants HM 2009-1-18 and IT-241-07), and from the Spanish CICIT (ECO 2009-10818)

Forecasting accuracy of behavioural models for participation in the arts

A first version of this paper was presented at the University of Catania, 2011 and at the fifth European Workshop on Applied Cultural Economics in Dublin, 2011.forecasting, count data, prediction intervals, Brier scores, bootstrapping, arts

Forecasting accuracy of behavioural models for participation in the arts

A first version of this paper was presented at the University of Catania, 2011 and at the fifth European Workshop on Applied Cultural Economics in Dublin, 2011.In this paper, we assess the forecasting performance of count data models applied to arts attendance. We estimate participation models for two artistic activities that differ in their degree of popularity -museum and jazz concerts- with data derived from the 2002 release of the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts for the United States. We estimate a finite mixture model – a zero-inflated negative binomial model - that allows us to distinguish “true” non-attendants and “goers” and their respective behaviour regarding participation in the arts. We evaluate the predictive (in-sample) and forecasting (out-of-sample) accuracy of the estimated models using bootstrapping techniques to compute the Brier score. Overall, the results indicate good properties of the model in terms of forecasting. Finally, we derive some policy implications from the forecasting capacity of the models, which allows for identification of target populations

Women’s Cultural Attendance in Istanbul: Why So Low?

This paper investigates the possible determinants of attendance at cultural and artistic events in Istanbul, Turkey, which was designated one of Europe’s cultural capitals in 2010. The unique data set used in this study was drawn from a representative sample of households in Istanbul by selecting one individual over the age of 18 from each household for interview. A professional research company in Istanbul used clustered random sampling to collect information from 100 main and 100 substitute clusters from the Istanbul area. Zero-inflated negative binomial methodology was used to analyze the determinants of attendance at different cultural events in Istanbul. In the regression analysis, we grouped all cultural activities into two categories for the dependent variables: “cultural heritage” and “performing arts and cinema”. The performing arts and cinema category comprised six activities (theatre, cinema, opera-ballet-modern dance, classical music concerts, rock-pop-jazz concerts, classical Turkish folk arabesque concerts) while other activities were included in the cultural heritage category. We found very similar results to previous studies regarding many determinants of cultural attendance. Contrary to most previous results, however, which are derived from representative samples from Western countries, we found strong negative gender effects and differences in female cultural participation depending on the type of activity. Gender determinants of cultural participation have been addressed in two main ways: as one more variable in the “mixed factors” category or as a manifestation of gender roles and social norms. Other things being equal, being a woman increases the probability of never having participated in more social cultural events (the going-out dimension of cultural attendance). We therefore recommend policies to empower women’s participation in and sharing of cultural activities

Forecasting accuracy of behavioural models for participation in the arts

A first version of this paper was presented at the University of Catania, 2011 and at the fifth European Workshop on Applied Cultural Economics in Dublin, 2011.In this paper, we assess the forecasting performance of count data models applied to arts attendance. We estimate participation models for two artistic activities that differ in their degree of popularity -museum and jazz concerts- with data derived from the 2002 release of the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts for the United States. We estimate a finite mixture model – a zero-inflated negative binomial model - that allows us to distinguish “true” non-attendants and “goers” and their respective behaviour regarding participation in the arts. We evaluate the predictive (in-sample) and forecasting (out-of-sample) accuracy of the estimated models using bootstrapping techniques to compute the Brier score. Overall, the results indicate good properties of the model in terms of forecasting. Finally, we derive some policy implications from the forecasting capacity of the models, which allows for identification of target populations

Social Interactions and Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Latin America

In this paper, we seek to examine the effect of comparisons and social capital on subjective well-being. Furthermore, we test if, through social influence and exposure, social capital is either an enhancer or appeaser of the comparison effect. Using the Latinobarómetro Survey (2007) we find that in contrast to most previous studies, the comparison effect on well-being is positive; that is, the better others perform, the happier the individual is. We also find that social capital is among the strongest correlates of individuals’ subjective well-being in Latin American countries. Furthermore, our findings suggest that social contacts may enhance the comparison effect on individual’s happiness, which is more intense for those who perform worse in their reference group.comparison effect, social capital, subjective well-being, social interactions

Heritage Engagement and Subjective Well-Being in the European Union

In this paper, we explore the relationship between different ways of getting engaged with cultural heritage and life satisfaction. Using data from a representative sample of the population of the 28 members of the European Union in 2017 collected in the Eurobarometer 88.1 (2017), we explore the relationship between use and non-use values and individual subjective well-being measured as life satisfaction. We present the results derived from the estimation of an ordered probit model where life satisfaction is a function of living near to heritage resources to represent non-use values, different ways of heritage participation (tangible, intangible, digital, and volunteering), and the usual explanatory variables that have been found to be predictors of life satisfaction. Our results indicate that the chances of being more satisfied with ones’ life increase with volunteering activities, with visits to heritage institutions, and with digital engagement. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the multifaceted values of heritage.This research was funded by the Basque Government (IT336-19), by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-108718GB-I00) for Ateca-Amestoy, and by the Catalan Government (2017 SGR 422) for Villarroya

Social Interactions and Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Latin America

In this paper, we seek to examine the effect of comparisons and social capital on subjective well-being. Furthermore, we test if, through social influence and exposure, social capital is either an enhancer or appeaser of the comparison effect. Using the Latinobarómetro Survey (2007) we find that in contrast to most previous studies, the comparison effect on well-being is positive; that is, the better others perform, the happier the individual is. We also find that social capital is among the strongest correlates of individuals’ subjective well-being in Latin American countries. Furthermore, our findings suggest that social contacts may enhance the comparison effect on individual’s happiness, which is more intense for those who perform worse in their reference group.The financial support from the Spanish Women’s Institute and Ministry of Science and Technology ECO2009-10818 and the Basque Government IT241-07 granted to Victoria Ateca-Amestoy and from the Spanish Ministry of Education through grant SEJ2009-11117 to Ana I. Moro-Egido is gratefully acknowledged