Can national cultural policy approaches be used for sub-national comparisons? An analysis of the Quebec and Ontario experiences in Canada.

There has been relatively little comparative research undertaken on sub-national cultural policy. This article aims to contribute to the development of sub-national comparative studies by assessing the utility of national cultural policy approaches for comparative research at the sub-national level in Canada. Drawing on studies of national cultural policy, the authors develop three main approaches to cultural policy and administration - the French, British and hybrid approaches - and explore their applicability to the origin and evolution of cultural policy and administration in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. This exploratory research suggests there is room for optimism in drawing on national-level experiences to undertake sub-national comparative cultural policy research, particularly for comparisons over broad time periods. The study also suggests that it will be important in subsequent research to further elaborate the models for present-day comparative analysis and to refine and adapt them to reflect specificities at the provincial level of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]