Funders and stakeholders matter: a case study analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how funders and stakeholders influence the performance of Spain’s most autonomous cultural institutions. As the first of its kind to focus on Spain’s independent cultural spaces, the paper is exploratory in nature. It seeks to contribute to the field of research on best practices in cultural management and marketing through its study of the performance of all seven independent cultural spaces that belong to the Red TransIbérica de Espacios Culturales Independientes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a mixed-methods case study analysis. Relying on in-person observations and interviews, online surveying, online review analyses and cultural engagement data synthesis, it supports quantitative data with qualitative data, and uses methodological triangulation techniques to validate findings.

Findings

The paper indicates that despite their autonomy, the type of funding and the number of stakeholders that independent cultural spaces boast appear related to their marketability.

Originality/value

Using all seven member organizations as the sample group, this research is able to build generalized conclusions for the country’s population of independent cultural spaces. By highlighting key themes for further research, the paper offers insight into an understudied section of the sector.

Citation

Murray, C. (2019), "Funders and stakeholders matter: a case study analysis", Arts and the Market, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 219-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAM-03-2019-0011