Too big to fail? The framing and interpretation of ‘success’/‘failure’ in cultural participation policy: a case study

Rimmer, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6916-6795 (2020) Too big to fail? The framing and interpretation of ‘success’/‘failure’ in cultural participation policy: a case study. Conjunctions, 7 (2). ISSN 2246-3755

[thumbnail of Published_Version]
Preview
PDF (Published_Version) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

Download (507kB) | Preview

Abstract

This article engages with questions of failure in cultural participation through a reflection upon matters of interpretation and meaning. That is, rather than considering the ways or extent to which cultural participation programmes might achieve their stated goals, the discussion centres upon the crucial role of representations and perceptions in relation to questions of ‘failure’/‘success’. The discussion centres upon one case study initiative, England's version of the Venezuelan El Sistema programme, In Harmony, and employs frame analysis to explore the ways press coverage and relevant policy documents cultivate an image of programme ‘success’. In order to help reveal some of the problematic assumptions embedded in dominant accounts, the article also draws on original interview data in exploring the marginalised perspectives of programme participants. The findings which emerge suggest the need for particular attention to the symbolic dimensions of cultural participation policies in relation to questions of ‘failure’/‘success’.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: cultural policy,failure,el sistema,in harmony,arts and humanities (miscellaneous),cultural studies,communication ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1200/1201
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Art, Media and American Studies
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Film, Television and Media
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2020 23:57
Last Modified: 21 Jul 2023 09:55
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/76705
DOI: 10.7146/tjcp.v7i2.119747

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item