Culture-led regeneration in practice: an exploration of BASE Milano’s business model

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the role of urban cultural policies and of cultural hubs as actors of culture-led regeneration processes, with a specific application of the concept to the practical experience of the day-to-day management of BASE Milano. This research was stimulated by the existence of a gap in the literature, symptomatic of a more theoretical and sociological approach to cultural policy. Indeed, the academic literature has attempted to measure the impact on cultural institutions and cultural hubs, but just a few have focused on the entrepreneurial dimension concerning how these institutions manage to be economically viable and fulfil their mission. In particular I will provide an analysis and a review of the academic literature on the birth path and evolution of cultural policies, with a particular focus on the urban dimension of the matter. The concepts of the “creative city” and of the “creative class” will be explored through a critical literature review stimulated by the academic debate on the positive and negative effects of urban culture-led regeneration processes. As both a consequence and a cause of these processes, I will try to map the characteristics and the social and cultural impact of new rising collaborative and multifunctional spaces, with a focus on the creative and cultural hubs. After defining the theoretical background, the case study of BASE Milano, a cultural institution born out of an urban regeneration project funded by the Municipality of Milan and other sources, will show a concrete application of the matter presented. This will be followed by an analysis of its business model and an assessment of the role it plays for its reference community. The latter is a key element in this paper, as it aims to explore the role of urban cultural policies in fostering social transformation within society and the art world, drawing new trajectories for cultural actors in rethinking the approach to the city and to the communities. The relevance of this research lies in the need to highlight the relationships between policy, funding and the creation of new cultural opportunities that can lead to innovation.