Conclusion: Artists, Policy and the Future of the Professional Class

Abstract

This final chapter proposes future research agendas and discusses policy recommendations. It is argued that enhancing the methodological playing field in cultural policy studies could be achieved by calling for further narrative-oriented methodologies and for the application of longitudinal research design. In a final appeal it is suggested that listening in depth to the concerns of artists may yield further long-term policy solutions. Visual artists’ suggestion of a transfer of policy concerns from one geographical region to another may provide a new comparative perspective of cultural policy studies. The final remarks are reserved for policy recommendations that question the notion of careers as self-fulfilling loops, suggesting that awareness-raising policy initiatives should be developed for, from and with artists.