The State and the Arts

An Analysis of Key Economic Policy Issues in Europe and the United States

John W. O’Hagan, Associate Professor of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and President of the Association for Cultural Economics International

At a time when state assistance to the arts sector has come under considerable scrutiny both in Europe and the United States, this book comprehensively examines the evolution of, and rationale for, state involvement with the so-called ‘high’ arts on both continents. It offers an overview of the key economic issues arising in relation to the state and the arts in these regions, with a detailed analysis of the European and American models of state assistance to the high arts sector.

‘O’Hagan has taken on a difficult task indeed in trying to sort through the evidence on the state and the arts. He has opened the door to numerous potential research papers, and made clear the need for much more work to be done in the area of data classification and collection. He has also done the
valuable task of pulling together previous research from a variety of sources, many of which will not be familiar to economists. I will be consulting this book often.’
– Michael Rushton, Journal of Cultural Economics

‘It is the best and most systematic book on the economics of cultural policy yet . . . The chapter on art museums is especially well organised and is a model for the organization of books written for ordinary people, rather than committed professional economists.’
– Southern Economic Journal

‘An excellent book . . . As a feedback from a non-economist and non-English speaker I must say that this is an extremely clear and interesting book, not to mention how useful it would be for us.’
– Paula Karhunen, Arts Council of Finland, Finland

‘. . . the book will soon be standard reference not only for government involvement in the arts but for arts economics as a whole.’
– Günther Schulze, University of Konstanz, Germany

‘. . . perfect for a graduate course in the field. . . . very well selected topics, and everything very nicely done. . . . I will certainly use it.’
– Victor Ginsburgh, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium

‘The word judicious comes to mind when reading this book. Nowhere have I seen a better presentation of the arguments for and against government subsidy of the arts. Whether it concerns the tax system, direct grants, or policies towards art museums, O’Hagan has a keen and unerring eye for which features of the issue are salient. . . . In each case the book can be read with profit by a wide range of individuals, from economics of the arts specialists to arts practitioners to advanced undergraduates. The generality of the appeal, without sacrificing quality analysis, is perhaps the book’s greater virtue. . . . At the end the reader is left wanting more. . .’
– Tyler Cowen, Journal of Economic Literature

这是一个研究,写和enlightening book.’
– Economic Outlook and Business Review