Book excerpt: Cultural economics as a field of research involves two areas, culture and economy. These two areas have been traditionally regarded as each other's antithesis. However, the economic aspects of culture have increasingly become a matter of everyday reality for persons working in the cultural field. The economy of culture has always been in the focus of political interest. Political decisions concerning such priority areas as the development of regional institutions, support to the artists and cultural programmes for children and youth have important economic implications. This book deals with a range of topics in cultural economics. It contains original papers by economists workingin the field from 15 different countries and covers a host of both theoretical and practical issues, covering the performing arts, arts marketsand museums. It represents an up-to-date statement of the application of economic ideas to cultural questions.