The Big Leagues

The term 'cultural industries' refers to that sector of the economy organised around the production and consump­ tion of cultural goods and services. This includes organisations like cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, bookshops, radio and TV stations, libraries, theme parks, festivals, live music venues, etc. These cultural or­ ganisations take varied economic forms ranging from the multi-national, to the small business, to the nonprofit.The significance of the term 'cul­ tural industry is that it reflects the diversity of what people experience as culture. It also offers a challenge to the very value-laden cultural distinctions such as high and low, art and entertain­ ment or subsidised quality and com­ mercial rubbish. Most importantly, a cultural industries approach recog­ nises the predominance of the market in meeting most people's cultural needs. In sharp contrast to the traditional Left p essim ism on m ass cu lture ex­ emplified by the Frankfurt School, cul­ tural industries began getting a very good press In the 1980s. The 'discover/ of cultural industries was m ost prevalent in Britain, where num erous local governm ent authorities began hailing them as the source of both economic revival and urban renewal. Glasgow is probably the most often cited example of cul­ tural led economic recovery, rising from the ruins of a collapsed ship­ building industry and bom again as a cultural tourism mecca bristling with art galleries, garden festivals and riverside retailing.