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Funding the Arts and Culture Through Tax Incentives

Hemels, Sigrid LU orcid (2026) In Cultural Economics & the Creative Economy p.65-86
Abstract
Tax incentives can be a policy instrument to fund the arts and culture. Such incentives must meet certain rules and principles, including, for EU Member States, EU requirements. In addition, various other aspects must be taken into account in the appreciation of tax incentives as a cultural funding instrument. This includes, on the one hand, notions of fairness, concerns about ‘philanthrocapitalism’, wealthier citizens undemocratically deciding on government spending through tax incentives and, on the other hand, opportunities to engage citizens and take their preferences into account. Tax incentives are not inherently better or worse than other policy instruments. The most effective and efficient instrument or mix of instruments depends... (More)
Tax incentives can be a policy instrument to fund the arts and culture. Such incentives must meet certain rules and principles, including, for EU Member States, EU requirements. In addition, various other aspects must be taken into account in the appreciation of tax incentives as a cultural funding instrument. This includes, on the one hand, notions of fairness, concerns about ‘philanthrocapitalism’, wealthier citizens undemocratically deciding on government spending through tax incentives and, on the other hand, opportunities to engage citizens and take their preferences into account. Tax incentives are not inherently better or worse than other policy instruments. The most effective and efficient instrument or mix of instruments depends on the policy aim. In addition, the funding culture and mix in a certain country is of relevance. As tax incentives are currently not always democratically controlled, accounted for and evaluated in the same way as direct spending programs, these must be handled with care. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Cultural Funding and Financing. A Guide to New and Traditional Models in Arts and Culture
series title
Cultural Economics & the Creative Economy
editor
Dalla Chiesa, Carolina and Rykkja, Anders
pages
65 - 86
publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
ISSN
2662-4486
2662-4478
ISBN
978-3-031-96696-5
978-3-031-96695-8
DOI
10.1007/978-3-031-96696-5_3
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
b7869984-ee59-4c17-a323-90f864f83fbd
date added to LUP
2026-01-09 10:28:09
date last changed
2026-01-16 09:27:52
@inbook{b7869984-ee59-4c17-a323-90f864f83fbd,
  abstract     = {{Tax incentives can be a policy instrument to fund the arts and culture. Such incentives must meet certain rules and principles, including, for EU Member States, EU requirements. In addition, various other aspects must be taken into account in the appreciation of tax incentives as a cultural funding instrument. This includes, on the one hand, notions of fairness, concerns about ‘philanthrocapitalism’, wealthier citizens undemocratically deciding on government spending through tax incentives and, on the other hand, opportunities to engage citizens and take their preferences into account. Tax incentives are not inherently better or worse than other policy instruments. The most effective and efficient instrument or mix of instruments depends on the policy aim. In addition, the funding culture and mix in a certain country is of relevance. As tax incentives are currently not always democratically controlled, accounted for and evaluated in the same way as direct spending programs, these must be handled with care.}},
  author       = {{Hemels, Sigrid}},
  booktitle    = {{Cultural Funding and Financing. A Guide to New and Traditional Models in Arts and Culture}},
  editor       = {{Dalla Chiesa, Carolina and Rykkja, Anders}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-031-96696-5}},
  issn         = {{2662-4486}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{65--86}},
  publisher    = {{Palgrave Macmillan}},
  series       = {{Cultural Economics & the Creative Economy}},
  title        = {{Funding the Arts and Culture Through Tax Incentives}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96696-5_3}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-031-96696-5_3}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}