European inventory of
societal values of culture

VOLUNTEERING IN CULTURE

Volunteering in culture started to be institutionalized after WWII in the Anglo-Saxon context. In a wider European context, it gained the full attention of cultural policymakers only in the 1990s and onwards. Definitions of volunteering in culture vary, but most of them refer to an activity or engagement within the field of culture carried out by free will and by free choice. This activity benefits the larger society, but those engaged in it are not remunerated in market terms.

Volunteering has been seen by many as one of the most important pro-social behaviours, representing an essential means of participating in civil society. It is usually discussed and researched as a way to contribute to social cohesion by building trust and reciprocity among citizens and engaging them in public matters. For this reason, it has been a frequent topic of research, reports, policymaking, and indicators within the last thirty years.

Two significantly different approaches to volunteering in cultural institutions and organisations can be noted. These are mainly related to differences in the volunteers’ profiles and goals. On the one hand, some cultural institutions engage volunteers who are mainly well-off and see volunteering as a way to gain prestige and cultural capital. Cultural institutions provide them with quality leisure time and desirable knowledge. In return, they get volunteers’ expertise and enthusiasm, as well as increased donations and sponsorships. On the other hand, volunteering can be seen as a way to fight segregation and inequalities by engaging marginalised groups in volunteer opportunities. Such volunteer engagement aims to increase access to culture and well-being. It mediates such values to the members of marginalised communities, leading to social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. 

Meaningful and well-supported volunteering schemes build the capacities of volunteers and institutions, support life-long learning, increase volunteers’ employability, and positively affect their well-being and sense of belonging. This contribution to well-being is especially noted in research with the elderly, youth, and marginalised groups.

Cultural policy often frames volunteering as a means to fight social exclusion and contribute to social cohesion. However, most research shows that the benefits of volunteering are not distributed equally but that volunteers’ social and economic status significantly affects the likelihood and outcomes of volunteering. Consequently, inclusive cultural policies need to further develop and encourage frameworks for volunteering that help combat the social exclusion of vulnerable groups.

Great care needs to be taken by policymakers to avoid using volunteering as a means to support austerity measures and decrease budgets for culture. Such an approach to volunteering leads to closing publicly supported workplaces and substituting them with volunteer engagement. One should keep in mind that most work in cultural organisations and institutions requires continuous paid engagement. If volunteers are expected to take on long-term responsibilities for work in culture, the very concept of volunteering is called into question. (GT, VK)