Reclaiming Culture's Soul: O'Connor Challenges the Industry Paradigm

Justin O'Connor's "Culture is not an industry: reclaiming art and culture for the common good" offers a timely and compelling critique of the marketization of culture that has dominated cultural policy and discourse in recent decades. Building on themes from his previous work, O'Connor presents a thorough analysis of how neoliberal economic frameworks have hollowed out our understanding of culture's societal value.

The author argues persuasively that framing culture primarily in terms of economic impact and consumer preferences has undermined the sector's ability to articulate its broader significance. By adopting the language of industry and market logic, cultural institutions have inadvertently eroded their own legitimacy as providers of public goods that transcend transactional relationships.

O'Connor's strength lies in his ability to contextualize current debates within a broader historical and theoretical framework. He traces how concepts like the "creative class" and cultural entrepreneurship gained prominence, only to reveal their limitations in addressing deeper social challenges.

A key insight O'Connor offers is the problematic conflation of vastly different cultural entities under the broad umbrella of "creative industries." He points out how global entertainment giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney are often categorized alongside small, subsidized local theaters in cultural policy discussions. This false equivalence obscures the unique social and artistic value of grassroots cultural institutions that often rely on public support to produce impactful, challenging work that wouldn't be commercially viable in a pure market system.

The book offers a refreshing perspective by advocating for a return to viewing culture as a foundational element of democratic society rather than just another economic sector. O'Connor reminds us that while we've long understood culture's intrinsic value, many governments – not just the heavily criticized UK administration – have shifted towards evaluating cultural initiatives primarily through an economic lens. This shift has often come at the expense of recognizing culture's role in fostering social cohesion, critical thinking, and shared experiences that bind communities together.

Particularly noteworthy is O'Connor's solution-oriented approach. Rather than simply critiquing the status quo, he proposes reimagining cultural policy within a "foundational economy" paradigm that prioritizes social needs over profit maximization. His discussion of universal basic services versus universal basic income demonstrates a nuanced understanding of how cultural provision intersects with broader questions of social welfare.

O'Connor challenges policymakers and cultural leaders to move beyond narrow economic metrics and rediscover culture's power to shape our collective identity and democratic values. He argues for a renewed focus on the public good aspects of culture, emphasizing how subsidized cultural institutions can serve as vital spaces for community engagement, artistic experimentation, and the cultivation of shared cultural memories.

While dense at times, the book's thorough examination of complex issues makes it a valuable resource for policymakers, cultural managers, and scholars alike. O'Connor's passionate call to reclaim the collective meaning of art and culture feels especially urgent in our current political climate, where the commodification of cultural experiences threatens to overshadow their deeper societal significance.

"Culture is not an industry" serves as a timely reminder that the value of culture extends far beyond its ability to generate economic activity. It challenges readers to reimagine cultural policy in a way that nurtures the diverse ecosystem of cultural production and participation, from community theaters to world-class museums, recognizing their distinct roles in enriching our shared cultural life.

For those interested in delving deeper into these crucial debates about the future of cultural policy and the role of arts in society, "Culture is not an industry: reclaiming art and culture for the common good" by Justin O'Connor is available from Manchester University Press (ISBN: 978-1-5261-6340-9).