FROM GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNANCE: Engaging funding stakeholders through collaborative governance

This paper explores the application of collaborative governance in the cultural sector, focusing on its effectiveness in managing relationships with funding stakeholders. Through a qualitative case study of “Parma 2020+21—Italian Capital of Culture,” the study examines the city’s shift from a centralised cultural “government” to a more inclusive cultural “governance” model characterised by shared decision-making among diverse stakeholders.

The analysis defines collaborative governance as a formal, multi-stakeholder engagement process that fosters collective decision-making in public cultural initiatives. It focuses on building public-private synergies and attracting private investment for financial sustainability. The study demonstrates how collaborative governance strengthens stakeholder involvement, particularly with local communities and the private sector, promoting a participatory approach to cultural governance.

The findings show collaborative governance’s potential to create effective governance frameworks that facilitate the planning and execution of cultural programmes, emphasising the importance of trust and the role of orchestrators. They also highlight collaborative governance’s capacity to mobilise resources and enhance strategic public-private collaboration. This case study offers practical insights and contributes to the broader theoretical discourse on collaborative governance’s adaptability and impact on cultural governance.