Who funds creative and cultural projects, and why? This insightful book analyses how the arts have been funded in a variety of political environments, helping readers understand how politics and economics intersect to support cultural life.

Employing the UK Arts Council as an historical case study, the author explores the politics of arts funding and how artists and audiences adapt their behaviour around evolving incentives. In focusing on how arts funding has worked in practice, the book allows readers to develop their understanding of economics principles in the cultural sector.

With a balance between historical and contemporary themes, the book provides fundamental insights into cultural economics and policy. As such it is required reading for students and practitioners who want to know how arts funding professionals make decisions.