Culture and Heritage Capital portal

Introduction to the Culture and Heritage Capital Programme by Lord Mendoza

Introduction to the Culture and Heritage Capital Programme by Lord Mendoza

A culture and heritage capital approach to policy and decision making considers the value of culture and heritage to society.

The Culture and Heritage Capital Programme was officially launched in January 2021 with the publication of ‘Valuing culture and heritage capital: a framework towards informing decision making’. The framework sets out DCMS’s ambition for a transformational and cultural change to assessing value for money through robust appraisal and evaluation.

DCMS will publish research, data, guidance and tools to help organisations make a stronger case for investment in culture and heritage assets.

These aims are consistent with the HM Treasury Green Book principles.

You should check that you’re using the latest versions of these resources. DCMS and partner organisations update them regularly with new evidence.

AHRC/DCMS Scoping culture and heritage capital research

DCMS and AHRC are funding an interdisciplinary scoping study to help inform and explore future research needed for the programme. The project commenced on 22nd November 2021.

The project team was announced on 19th November 2021. It is a cross-disciplinary team of economists, heritage science, and archaeology researchers.

The team includes:

• Dr Patrycja Kaszynska - Team Lead (UAL Social Design Institute)
• Professor Diane Coyle (University of Cambridge)
• Dr Sadie Watson (Museum of London Archaeology)
• Dr Emma Dwyer (Museum of London Archaeology)
• Dr Lara Gonzalez-Carretero (Museum of London Archaeology)
• Dr Rebecca Reynolds (Museum of London Archaeology)
• Professor Patrizia Riganti (University of Glasgow)
• Dr Ricky Lawton (Simetrica-Jacobs)
• Dr Mafalda Dâmaso (University of the Arts London)

To find out more, see this announcement from UKRI.

DCMS reports

• Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital: A framework towards informing decision making

This document sets out DCMS’s approach to valuing the benefits provided by culture and heritage assets. Included within the document is a framework that will underpin the work of the Culture and Heritage Capital programme, demonstrating how culture and heritage assets create value to the public. You will also find information on the resources DCMS and partner organisations will provide over the coming years.

• Rapid Evidence Assessment: Culture and Heritage Capital Valuation Studies

A rapid evidence assessment of the current state of literature valuing culture and heritage assets was commissioned to identify useful studies that align with best practice. The report outlines the process used to collect and review the evidence, an overview of the methods used in the literature to value culture and heritage assets and an assessment of the priority areas for future research. Alongside the report is an Evidence Bank of 171 values from culture and heritage valuation studies which can be used to support funding cases. The Evidence Bank originally included 171 values. As new evidence has become available DCMS have continued to add to the evidence base. For each study, the Evidence Bank includes the estimated monetary value, a RAG rating of its quality, and a link to the report amongst other useful information.

Sector-specific guidance and research

• Arts Council England: Culture & Heritage Capital

Research and guidance on Arts Council England’s ongoing Economic Value of Culture project, aimed at helping arts and cultural organisations better demonstrate their social and cultural impact in economic terms.

• British Film Institute: the value of digital archive film history

A case study on the public value of Britain on Film which provides evidence on the benefits of online access to film heritage.

• Historic England: Heritage and the value of place

A contingent valuation and benefit transfer study assessing the value of local historic high streets, libraries and town halls to residents in eight medium-sized cities in England.

Culture and Heritage Capital Advisory Board

The Culture and Heritage Capital Advisory Board advises DCMS on the use of economic techniques to form a culture and heritage capital approach.

Role of the group

The Culture and Heritage Capital Advisory Board includes experts from culture and heritage organisations and academia.

The board provides advice to help DCMS create publicly available statistics and guidance which articulate the value of the culture and heritage sectors. Valuation of benefits and costs plays an important role in understanding how the government should spend taxpayer’s money. It is therefore paramount that sector specific guidance is available.

The initial term of the board runs from 2020 to 2022. Lord Neil Mendoza, Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal, chairs the board which meets every six months.

Membership

Alongside DCMS officials the board consists of the following experts:

• Lord Mendoza (Chair), Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal at DCMS
• Duncan Wilson OBE, Chief Executive of Historic England
• Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England
• Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England
• Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council
• René Olivieri, Chair of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Hasan Bakhshi MBE, Director of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre at Nesta
• Geoffrey Crossick, Professor at the School of Advanced Study, University of London
• Andrew Thompson, Professor at the University of Oxford
• Ian Bateman OBE, Professor at the University of Exeter
• May Cassar CBE, Professor at University College London
• David Throsby AO, Professor at Macquarie University
• Susana Mourato, Professor at the London School of Economics
• Diane Lees CBE, Director of the Imperial War Museum