Prioritizing the Arts in the ‘National Life’ in Western Europe

In 1938, Winston Churchill, expressing a position that had dominated Europe for a century or more, claimed the arts as “essential to any complete national life.” By the end of the 1980’s, Margaret Thatcher’s arts minister announced that the only mark of a successful arts policy was “attract[ing] enough customers.” Is this shift indicative of a broad abandonment of the European cultural ideal on the part of the world’s elites? This paper will offer evidence from nine case studies to show that decision-makers in the five ‘major’ western European countries, including the United Kingdom, continue to embrace a vision of a “complete national life” which includes the cultural ideal. The case studies span government stewardship of culture and the arts, nurturing an arts-appreciating public, recognition of national cultural idols, and a master-narrative of the nation that includes culture and the arts. (141 words)

Prioritizing the Arts in the ‘National Life’ in Western Europe Presentation