France/ 2. General objectives and principles of cultural policy  

2.3 Cultural policy objectives

The fundamental objectives of cultural policy in France are the same as those declared in the Decree of 24 July 1959 by André Malraux, which are described in chapter 1.

Since this time, new information and communication technologies have considerably developed and enabled access to knowledge and information. Despite such developments the political vision remains the same - to help all forms of cultural expression reach new audiences; the latter being one of the main objectives of cultural policy.

Since its creation, one of the essential missions of the Ministry of Culture and Communication has been to encourage access to and participation in both heritage and the works of contemporary creativity. Cultural policy objectives in France have proceeded through different stages with focus on: "cultural action" (1970s), "cultural development" (1980s), inter-ministerial partnership (1990s including draft-agreements with the ministries responsible for agriculture, defence, education, youth and sports, the family, justice, disabled people, health, and tourism), followed by "decentralisation of culture" (2000s) in cooperation with local authorities.

See also chapter 4.1.

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