What if lyrics shape a song’s success more than we realize? Analyzing 176 entries from the Bundesvision Song Contest, this study reveals how emotional arcs in lyrics—especially darker ones—independently influence…
This article looks at how people with disabilities experience arts centers. Based on a large visitor survey, it shows that while barriers still exist, cultural participation can be deeply rewarding….
What happens when publicly funded art sparks outrage? Throughout history, scandals have raised the same question: should governments censor or defund offensive culture? Our study uncovers four distinct public opinion…
Participatory governance models are reshaping how museums engage with communities. But how do audiences and stakeholders value these strategies? This study develops a framework to assess participation through three perspectives—community…
Beyond Europe’s famous capitals lie coastal villages, mountain towns, and hidden gems that rarely make the headlines. Drawing on millions of TripAdvisor reviews, this study reveals who visits these overlooked…
Who counts as an artist—and who gets left out? Our new study compares federal labor data with applicants to a major guaranteed income program for artists. The findings reveal major…
Digitalization has reshaped the music industry, forcing new business models and revenue strategies. By analyzing over 562,000 Spotify tracks from 1922 to 2021, this study uncovers what makes a song…
Digitalization has transformed cultural access, complementing rather than replacing live participation. Data from Italian regions show higher IT access correlates with cultural engagement, but socioeconomic disparities persist. Digital tools enhance…
The 23rd International Conference on Cultural Economics, hosted by Erasmus University Rotterdam from June 24–27, 2025, was a vibrant celebration of knowledge, dialogue, and innovation in the Economics of Cultural…
Art investment has long been the playground of the ultra-wealthy, with masterpieces selling for millions at high-profile auctions held by Sotheby’s and Christie’s. But that’s starting to change. In recent…
In recent years, cities across the United States have increasingly turned to the arts and culture as a tools to foster local economic development. One strategy gaining popularity is the…
In Korean art auctions, bought-in (which means they failed to sell) artworks yield 14.4% lower returns, but price declines send an even stronger negative signal. This suggests that falling resale…
What is the role of different concepts of quality in the fine-dining restaurant sector? We investigate how experts’, consumers’, and chefs’ views of quality interact in the Italian market, shedding…
This research is in line with studies on the values produced by culture and their impact on urban dynamics. We explore the extent to which cultural amenities influence interurban location…
The title of our paper recently published in the Journal of Cultural Economics is reminiscent of the work by Tal Feder and Joanna Woronkowicz (2023), titled “Reluctantly Independent: Motivations for…
Concert ticket pricing has become increasingly sophisticated in recent decades, attracting significant popular attention. Economists have long studied key questions in this space: Why have concert tickets become so expensive?…