Applications of indicators to the task of cultural planning at the national level

Abstract

Resources available for cultural planning are small and limited by comparison with the range and magnitude of activities which they can facilitate. Compared with their counterparts in the economic field, cultural planners have a task which is more diverse yet their resources in the form of manpower, experience, budget and statistics are more slender indicators are one of the tools available for use by those involved in the assessment of cultural needs and resources, the determination of priorities, and the application of cultural policies. Their use will be justified if they can be directed to particular tasks within the planning process and used selectively and efficiently to facilitate that process. The general purpose of this paper is to discuss the type of contribution which indicators may make to the work done by cultural planners and decision makers working at the national level. It will draw on the experience gained in the use of indicators for planning in related fields and will relate this to work which may be done within the Framework for Cultural Statistics. Measures of access to culture and measures of satisfaction from cultural activities will be considered as examples of particular contributions which cultural indicators can make to the planning task.