Promoting plural values in cultural information systems

Abstract

This chapter examines the renewal of cultural information systems, highlighting their crucial role in supporting democratic cultural policies. Focusing mostly on the Portuguese context, it analyses experimental initiatives, including the revision of the Adult Education Survey and participatory workshops with cultural stakeholders. The research reveals persistent gaps in traditional statistical systems, such as limited recognition of amateur practices, online participation, and post-practice experiences. It advocates for co-creative, pluralistic methodologies that integrate quantitative and qualitative data, linking culture to broader societal values such as well-being and social cohesion. Key recommendations include promoting regional observatories, adapting to the digital attention economy, and enhancing the understanding of cultural participations relational and emotional dimensions. The chapter concludes that cultural information systems must evolve beyond standardization, embracing complexity and diverse value frameworks, and calls for holistic, participatory approaches to better capture the richness of contemporary cultural practices and their role in fostering inclusive citizenship. (c) 2026 selection and editorial matter, Arturo Rodríguez Morató, Nancy Duxbury, Antonella Fresa, and Gábor Sonkoly; individual chapters, the contributors.