On the Public Provision of the Performing Arts

Arbeitspapier

In this paper, we present a model in which the performing arts are modelled as congestible public goods. In accordance with empirical evidence, the production of seat capacity is assumed to be subject to fixed costs. We estimate the parameters of the model's demand and cost functions using German data. Using these estimates in a subsequent social choice analysis, we show that the current situation in the German performing arts sector is best described by a directorship that under the influence of a selfish theater lobby maximizes only the welfare of the spectators. Such an equilibrium, characterized by too low ticket prices and too large capacity, is most likely to establish if citizens have a very positive ex ante notion of the performing arts.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Economics Working Paper ; No. 2003-02 [rev.]

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Cultural Economics; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology: General ; Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations ; Publicly Provided Goods: General
• Subject: Performing Arts ; Public Facilities ; Congestion ; Theater ; Kommunales Unternehmen ; Kulturökonomik ; Bottleneck ; Kulturfinanzierung ; Willingness to pay ; Public Choice ; Theorie ; Deutschland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Traub, Stefan ; Missong, Martin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Kiel University, Department of Economics
• (where): Kiel
• (when): 2003

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/21988
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET