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Jancovich, L. (2017). The participation myth. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 23(1): 107–121.
Analysing decision-making in British cultural policy, Jancovich approaches participation by reflecting on it through the prism of ‘participation myth’. The author questions participation as an imperative of evidence-based cultural policy, which is seen as trying to achieve numbers as high as possible in order to justify the invested public funds. Jancovich claims that such an approach empowers cultural elites and limits cultural innovation, thus creating a crisis of legitimacy and new democratic deficits in cultural policy.
Therefore, the author argues, a shift toward participatory decision-making is needed. In her view, decision-making should not involve only cultural experts but should ensure the inclusion of users, i.e., those who participate in cultural programmes as audience. What is more, a participatory model is needed which could ensure not only that the voices of users are heard but also that they have a visible influence over final decisions.
Leila Jancovich “The participation myth”