Evaluating cultural value: The quintessential wicked problem

Cultural value is an elusive and political concept that presents a number of significant research, policy, and management-related challenges. In order to address these challenges and move the related debates forwards, this chapter outlines and deconstructs the core questions and issues involved in processes of arts and cultural evaluation. It explores the etymology of evaluation, critically appraises competing and complementary approaches to cultural evaluation, and analyzes the policy and methodological tensions that have consistently plagued attempts to value and evaluate cultural participation and engagement. Following a critical review of the relevant academic and policy literature, the chapter presents three short case studies drawn from England and Canada. It concludes with a call for multidimensional, people-centered models of cultural evaluation that encompass diversity and polyvocalism and embrace complexity.