Emeritus Faculty Annual Lecture 2016 - Understanding the Value of Arts and Culture

Professor Crossick is Director of the Arts and Humanities Research Council's Cultural Value Project and author, with Patrycja Kaszynska, of the major 2016 Report: Understanding the Value of Arts & Culture.

This report highlights the diverse contexts of the value of culture and how the digital landscape is playing an increasingly larger role in shaping people’s engagement with arts and culture.

Crossick asks:“How should we understand the difference that arts and culture makes to individuals and to society? The case is too often presented in terms of benefits that are thought to be important to the government of the day while neglecting some of the more fundamental benefits that matter to us all. We need to think again about how we discuss these issues, not make claims that cannot be easily substantiated, and also show that methods from the arts and humanities have a good deal to offer as we seek evidence for the difference that arts and culture makes”.

Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb AC, a member of the ANU Emeritus Faculty, will introduce Professor Crossick, Professor of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study of the University of London.

Professor Crossick was Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Board from 2002–05, Warden of Goldsmiths College from 2005–10 and Vice-Chancellor of London University from 2010-12.