ART, CULTURE AND NATION-BUILDING: THE ROLE OF ADAPTIVE CULTURAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS

Cultural policies hold a crucial place in nation-building onseveral levels; however, they risk becoming obsolete over time, which can impede national cohesion and hinder overall progress if they are not regularly updated. This paper examines the fundamental role of art and cultural policy frameworks in nation-building, highlighting their impact on social cohesion, economic development, and the construction of national identity. The authors emphasise that the periodic revision of this framework is essential for addressing the changing needs of society, ensuring cultural relevance, and fostering inclusive growth. Through a detailed analysis of existing literature and relevant case studies from both developing and developed nations, this research underscores the importance of adaptive cultural policies in promoting cultural diversity, creativity, and innovation. The study demonstrates successful examples from various contexts while also identifying shortcomings in the current state of cultural policies. The findings offer strategic insights for policymakers, cultural institutions, artists, scholars, community organisations, and educational institutions.