Community, inclusivity and context: Exploring the factors that shape cultural policy in Iran

Background: Cultural policy are highly context dependent and shaped by local communities and cultural values. Although existing studies focus on cultural policy in Western contexts, there is a need for more research on regions, countries, cities and communities within the Global South, such as Africa and the Middle East. Objectives: The article explores the co-production of cultural policy in Iran at different scales highlighting processes of inclusivity and community involvement at the stages of planning and implementation. Method: This research draws on qualitative data from multiple qualitative sources, informed by the positionality and experience of the first author who has lived, studied and worked in Iran for over 30 years. The experience involved four projects: (1) exploring culture-led regeneration in Rasht city, Iran; (2) reviewing a 10-step bottom-up community-led regeneration scheme; (3) surveys with 128 users of cultural places and creative activities in Rasht city, Iran and (4) 20 semi-structured interviews with key informants in public institutions. Results: The top-down policies and practices of the Iranian government undermine participatory processes, democratic values and cultural citizenship. Yet, there is also evidence that the cultural identities and practices of local communities remain visible and vibrant. Conclusion: The article demonstrates how policies in the post-revolutionary period limit Iran’s adoption of cultural models while suppressing forms of community participation and democratic values. Contribution: The article nuances our understanding of the gap between the universal model of cultural policy and what happens in practice. The understudied case of Iran, the article also highlights how cultural policy, in non-Western contexts, is shaped by a range of factors including cultural values and political imperatives.