Cultural Stratification and Public Funding for the Arts

Can we justify public funding for the arts? It might seem obvious that the arts enrich our lives and that no justification in necessary. However, common arguments supporting this position often fail. In this panel, we begin by presenting a philosophical perspective for why the arts are a public good that require public funding. If high culture is inherently valuable, can everyone equally access it? Cultural sociologists have long noted that social class and cultural repertories are closely linked. In this context, we then overview theories of cultural stratification and present an original study on the relationship between culture and class in Canada, discussing whether results support the case for public funding of the arts.

Adam Yang is an MA student in the department of Sociology. He also holds a master's degree in Urban Geography from the London School of Economics. His research interests include culture and stratification, as well as topics in urban sociology, such as housing and the experience of home.