Introduction—Cultural policy and the public funding of culture in an international perspective

This special issue on cultural policy in an international perspective brings together experts in various fields to discuss two main themes: the social forces that drive persistence and change in public spending on culture over time and the contours of emerging models of public cultural spending. The two themes are discussed from different angles and with different emphases rooted in country contexts. This editorial outlines the common themes across the papers in the special issue and concludes by setting an agenda for future research.