Pau Rausell Köster, director of the Research Unit in Economics of Culture and Tourism of the Universitat de València, is interviewed in the À punt program together with Sara Joudi, gallery owner and founder of Shiras Galeria.

In his interview, Pau Rausell offers an in-depth analysis of the state and importance of culture and art today, from an economic and fiscal perspective. Within this framework, it is highlighted that culture in Spain is experiencing a gradual recovery, pointing to a positive trend in the Cultural and Creative Sectors after overcoming two crises: the one triggered by Covid-19 and the economic crisis of 2008. This progressive recovery is allowing these sectors to return to the levels observed in 2008.

One of the aspects to be highlighted of the CCS lies in the need for them to develop on a certain scale, given their heterogeneity, since it enjoys economies of agglomeration. In this way, the relationship of SCCs with the rest of the economy is evident and these ties are increasingly powerful. In addition, the focus is also placed on the fact that public policies are increasingly focused on the possibilities that culture has as catalysts as processes of territorial development. 

As for the Valencian territory, we are behind the tractor territories, which are Madrid and Barcelona, but it is in an advantage in the field of design, as referenced in recent nominations such as València Worls Design Capital, in 2022 or this year with the inclusion of the city of Valencia as UNESCO Creative City in the field of design.

With regard to the aforementioned relationship between culture and other sectors, it is worth noting the connection between culture and well-being, more specifically with health, which has multiplier effects in society, even some studies have shown the economic amount that could be saved in public policies in the field of physical and mental health if policies aimed at visual arts were increased. As shown by the results offered by the MESOC project, the impact of increasing the number of people employed in the SCC in the Valencian territory would result in an increase in productivity, per capita laundering or employment.

To view the complete program, you can access it through the following link.