On Wednesday, 26 February 2026, the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) in Zagreb hosted a guest lecture by Dr Eleonora Redaelli, Associate Professor at the University of Oregon (USA), entitled “Invisible Cultural Policy in America”, as part of the Culturelink Guest Lecture Series.
The lecture introduced the concept of invisible cultural policy, highlighting that cultural policy is shaped not only by formal legislation and strategies, but also by broader public values, administrative practices and organisational processes. Special attention was given to cultural federalism in the United States, characterised by strong decentralisation and the key role of state, local and non-profit actors.
Drawing on examples from programmes implemented by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), Dr Redaelli demonstrated how values such as diversity, accessibility and inclusion are translated into concrete policy measures. Emphasis was placed on the role of pluralistic public culture in fostering dialogue and participation.
The lecture concluded with an interactive discussion, focusing on differences between American and European, particularly Croatian, cultural policy models, the role of public funding, the complexity of institutional frameworks and challenges related to insufficient funding.
Dr Redaelli’s book “Invisible Cultural Policy: A Public Policy Perspective on Culture in the United States” is available in open access here:
https://www.elgaronline.com/monobook-oa/book/9781035330232/9781035330232.xml
