Towards a Local Cultural Index: measuring the cultural vitality of communities

Towards a Local Cultural Index: measuring the cultural vitality of communities There is an absence of any reliable comparative benchmarking of the cultural vitality of communities. In other areas of leisure provision-notably in sports and recreation facilities-local government has had clear guidance for many years, with positive results for local communities. The issue is not one of enforced uniformity, or regulation, but of accepted standards which cities, towns and rural areas may wish to work towards. The question therefore arises whether an index of local cultural services could help people know, if not what level of provision they should have, at least what they do have, and how it compares with that of other towns and districts. This paper is a first attempt at coming to grips with the challenge of developing a Local Culture Index. It is one element in a body of work by COMEDIA on how the cultural sector can assess and report on its performance with the ultimate aim of renewing the relationship between artists, cultural organisations and society.