A Textbook of Cultural Economics

by Ruth Towse

Overview

Now in its second edition, A Textbook of Cultural Economics is an established resource for many courses, including economics of the arts, the cultural and media industries, and the digital creative economy. Authored by Ruth Towse, a widely recognised expert in cultural economics, the book offers a comprehensive, up-to-date overview and analysis of the field in the digital era. Written in an accessible style, and with suggestions for further reading, it covers a range of topics, from the more traditional arts to the creative industries (such as music, film, games, broadcasting, and publishing), as well as the economics of artists' labour, markets and copyright. This second edition considers the creative economy up to the present, emphasising the role of digitisation across the creative industries. It will appeal to students taking courses in the economics of art and culture, and can also be used in courses on arts management and cultural policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521717021
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/07/2010
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	628
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Ruth Towse is Professor of Economics of Creative Industries at Bournemouth University, where she is also Co-Director for Economics at the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM), and CREATe Fellow in Cultural Economics at the University of Glasgow. In 2016, she was made Distinguished Fellow of the Association for Cultural Economics International (ACEI).

Table of Contents

Part I. General Issues in Cultural Economics: 1. Introduction to cultural economics; 2. Economic profile of the cultural sector; 3. Economic organisation of markets in the creative industries; 4. The digital creative economy; 5. Production, costs and supply of cultural goods; 6. Consumption, participation and demand for cultural goods and services; 7. Welfare economics and public finance; Part II. The 'Traditional' Arts and Heritage: 8. Economics of the performing arts; 9. Economics of museums and heritage; 10. Economics of festivals, cities of culture, creative cities and cultural tourism; 11. Economic evaluation cultural policy; Part III. Artists' Labour Markets and Copyright: 12. Economics of artists' labour markets; 13. Economics of copyright; Part IV. The Creative Industries: 14. Economics of creative industries; 15. Economics of the music industry; 16. Economics of the film industry; 17. Economics of videogames; 18. Economics of broadcasting; 19. Economics of book publishing; Part V. Conclusion: 20. Conclusion.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'There is no one more knowledgeable about the economics of the arts than the author of this book. Well and clearly written, it spans the economic literature, offering the reader understanding of the insights that economic research provides on this topic. It reports what has been learned about the prospects and problems that face this activity, which is so important for civilized society.' William J. Baumol, New York University

'One is bound to have high expectations of anything written by Ruth Towse about cultural economics. Readers of her latest work will certainly not be disappointed. It is the most complete introduction to the subject ever produced. It covers description of the economic organisation of the arts with graphic examples ranging from the one-person business of the individual artist to giant enterprises such as the British Museum. The economic analysis is of a high order and will survive the critical scrutiny of the economic theorist and yet will also be accessible to those interested but not schooled in economic thinking. The discussion of policies towards the arts is particularly valuable, notably in respect of important controversies surrounding the place of the creative arts and copyright provision in government programmes.' Sir Alan Peacock, Heriot-Watt University and Fellow of the British Academy

'Ruth Towse's name is one of the most widely known in cultural economics. Her many published contributions to the economics of the arts make her an ideal person to write a comprehensive textbook in this field. This book will not only be required reading for introductory courses in art economics, but will also provide an ideal overview for the non-specialist reader interested in finding out how economists think about the arts.' David Throsby, Macquarie University

'A renowned cultural economist, Towse aims to employ theories and methods of economics to answer issues as diverse as fees for museum entrance and illegal downloading of music … She uses international examples and up-to-date research and does not assume a prior knowledge of economics.' Times Higher Education

'Towse's broad knowledge of the field is reflected in the book, which covers a tremendous amount of ground in its [pages] … It is a very good reference work, providing an excellent window into the state of research on cultural economics … and I am happy to have it available.' Julia F. Lowell, Journal of Cultural Economics

Editorial Reviews

‘Ruth Towse is one of the most prominent contributors to the economics of art and culture. This second edition beautifully reflects her great knowledge and devotion to the field, whilst also being highly readable.' Bruno S. Frey, Research Director of the Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA), Switzerland

‘The first edition of A Textbook of Cultural Economics has become a standard work providing an accessible introduction to the application of economic principles and methods to problems in the arts. The book is distinguished by its respect for economic theory, its use of data, and its wealth of illustrative examples. The second edition retains the content and attractive features of the first, but extends the coverage in many ways including the addition of new chapters on the digital economy and the games industry. This book can be highly recommended to students, arts and culture professionals, policy-makers and others as a sound and comprehensive introduction to an increasingly important field of economics.' David Throsby, Macquarie University, Sydney

From the Publisher