We identify the causal impact of 18app, a universal cultural voucher for 18-year-olds introduced in Italy with the aim of fostering cultural participation. The policy boosts participation, especially among disadvantaged…
The chapter, published by Elsevier in the book Women’s Entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals, starts from a simple question: If you care about gender equality and the SDGs, is…
Dear ETA readers! As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at an incredible year of research and insights shared right here on the blog….
Imagination is a requisite for innovation that is rarely acknowledged by innovation economists. Artistic imagination provides an empirical toehold for testing whether the richness of nonrational thought processes fuels innovation….
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…