Cultural Labor as the core subject for cultural policy

Abstract

The article hypothesizes the necessity to assess the potential of "cultural labor" - the social role of cultural workers, their needs, and the economic potential of creative employment to update approaches to cultural policy. The economic potential of culture directly depends on the subjectivity of artists, on the regulation of organizational and economic features of cultural space as an economic entity, the effectiveness of which should be reflected and maintained in the priorities of cultural policy. The definition of strategy and appropriate tactical actions are expected to maintain an effective balance between cultural value and economic potential, not contrasting, but combining these characteristics for the common good of society. The article considers the subjectivity of artists, as well as the methodology of cultural labor research, probable causes and definite inconsistencies in the analysis of cultural space (and cultural labor) in theoretical research in cultural studies, sociology of culture and economic theory. Based on the fact that "cultural labor" is an interdisciplinary category by definition, the article presents both theoretical developments in the methodology of its research and practical context. Crucial for understanding of cultural labor is the changing subjectivity of cultural worker, which focuses on the protection of labor rights, participation in political and social movements, etc. However, the changes in social perception for artistic subjectivity remain equally important to disclose.