Cultural Policies in a Small University Metropolis: National Frameworks and Local Dynamics in the City of Brest
Políticas culturales en una pequeña metrópolis universitaria: marcos nacionales y dinámica local en la ciudad de Brest
Résumé
Brest metropolis is a university town with some 30,000 students out of a population of 215,000 inhabitants. However, it is not truly a typical student city and its status of cultural metropolis still needs to be strengthened. Cultural policies have been put in place alongside the gradual withdrawal of the city’s military activities and this has boosted the city’s metamorphosis. Since the early 2000s, Brest has evolved from a working-class, naval city, built around its arsenal, to a more academic and cultural city. The implemented cultural policies, that are based on dynamic local initiatives, are strongly shaped by national frameworks. Brest’s cultural institutions (non-profits and public organizations) are increasingly gaining national and European recognition.