Research purpose. Cultural centres are multifunctional interdisciplinary cultural institutions that provide access to culture and a wide variety of cultural services, promote citizen participation in culture, offer lifelong learning opportunities and perform various other functions. Cultural centres are a phenomenon shared with many other countries, especially former Soviet republics; however, although historically different models of cultural centres have also been developed in Western countries, the field has been relatively little studied in an academic setting. The aim of this research is to study the problems of defining and classifying cultural centres, to identify the most characteristic functions of cultural centres in Europe and suggest a classification model based on the functions of cultural centres. Design / Methodology / Approach. Research design is qualitative research. The research strategy uses qualitative research methods - the data extraction and analysis methods that are characteristic of qualitative research. The following methods were used: a comparative analysis of scientific literature, document analysis as well as secondary data analysis. Qualitative content analysis was used as the method of data analysis. Findings. Although the literature review shows that there is no single definition and characterization of cultural centres in Europe, researchers generally identify three parameters that characterize most cultural centres (regardless of their legal form): multifunctionality (offer and functions); socio-cultural aspect and orientation towards the local community; having a building/technical equipment. The author has identified and proposed a chart with four main dimensions characteristic of cultural centres: art/culture; education; leisure/recreation; social. Originality / Value / Practical implications. As a result of the study, the author has developed a model for classifying the functions of cultural centres, laying the ground for further academic research of cultural centres and their roles in society. The four main dimensions characteristic of cultural centres open new directions for research on the impact areas of cultural centres for a society: education, wellbeing, integration, community development, participation in culture etc. The results of the research will be used by the Association of Latvian Culture Centres for the development of cultural centres in Latvia. The research results will be partly used for further research within the framework of Dita Pfeifere’s doctoral thesis. They will be useful for researchers in other countries who conduct research in the field of cultural centres. The practical implication of the research is related to the development of the Law on Cultural Centres in Latvia, clarifying terminology used in the law and the segmentation of cultural centres.

No abstract

Cultural centres are multifunctional cultural institutions that provide access to culture throughout Latvia, from smaller local municipalities to larger cities. Cultural centres act as interdisciplinary institutions that provide a wide variety of cultural services and partake in the realisation of all national cultural policy priorities. Throughout Latvia, there are more than five hundred municipal cultural centres. Some attempts have been made to set up non-governmental and private cultural centres, but there is a lack of comprehensive data on these initiatives. The research framework includes author’s analysis of the historical formation and development of Latvian cultural centres from the 18th century to the present day. The aim of the study is to identify and compare the main functions of cultural centres in each period of their historical development in order to explore the genesis of the modern cultural centre and the validity of the historical classification of cultural centres in cultural policy planning documents. The outcome of the work will lead to a proposal for a new periodisation that can be used in future research on the development of cultural centres as well as in policy planning.

No abstract

No abstract