Cultural activities and economic development: a territorial survey

This paper studies the characteristics of the cultural sector in Italy and its interactions with the production system as a whole. After stating a clear definition of the cultural sector, we analyze the demand and supply of culture in Italy, at a regional level. We carry out descriptive analysis of household cultural spending, the pricing of the different cultural activities, and the capability of regional cultural heritage to attract tourists. Then we examine, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the public financing of culture in the Italian regions, also on the basis of the opinions of a panel of qualified experts, expressly interviewed for this work. Finally we give an overview of the regulatory framework and of the main administrative features of the cultural sector. Some open questions arise from our work, as well as many options for policy measures: the distribution of competences between the different levels of government; the form and the extension of private involvement; the governance of cultural initiatives.