Invisible Cultural Policy in America

Invisible Cultural Policy in America explores the complex role of the US government in the realm of culture. Eleonora Redaelli discusses how the American public administration supports a pluralistic public culture characterized by various cultural domains, multilevel governance and a diversity of democratic values.

With an interdisciplinary focus on the arts, humanities and historic preservation, Redaelli analyzes the key laws that justify the need for federal intervention in culture. She examines the development of cultural federalism across national and state bureaucracies, presenting detailed case studies on Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico and Oregon. The book also sheds light on the intellectual debates that have influenced public agencies, demonstrating how changing interpretations of foundational laws impact cultural programming. It concludes by emphasizing how the public value of culture has emerged as a unifying thread within the fragmented governance of American cultural policy.

This illuminating book is a vital resource for students and scholars of public administration and policy, cultural heritage studies, cultural theory, cultural geography, and art law. With a focus on American cultural policy, it will also benefit policymakers and practitioners in historic preservation and arts management, planning and public administration, and public humanities.