Culture and Heritage Capital portal
This page brings together research, guidance and estimates to help government and private organisations consider the value of culture and heritage capital.
Using the portal
Learn how to use CHC in your work
Find research papers
Contribute to the CHC programme
What we do
The Culture and Heritage Capital (CHC) programme, led by DCMS, is working to broaden economic analysis across the creative, culture and heritage sectors. Measuring the economic contribution of these sectors is standard practice. We want to go further, and assess their impact on welfare, sustainable growth and long-term living standards too. By highlighting the wider benefits these sectors bring to individuals and society, we can support better decision-making.
Our aim is to create a formal approach to valuing culture and heritage capital, to sit alongside other approaches for natural, human, social and financial capital. We provide sectors, practitioners and academics with the tools to undertake CHC analysis and make a stronger case for investment. This includes:
- a bank of values demonstrating the market and non-market value of CHC assets
- guidance notes for appraisal and evaluation
- a set of National Culture and Heritage Capital accounts
Having a CHC approach can:
- enable users to independently assess and value culture and heritage (with information and resources from our team)
- reduce search costs for analysts and decision makers needing this type of analysis
- provide a platform to update tools and guidance as knowledge develops
- identify new evidence and areas for development
Our aims are consistent with HM Treasury’s Green Book principles.
For current values figures for use in social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA), see the DCMS CHC Evidence Bank.
CHC Framework
Launched in 2021, the CHC Framework sets out the need for a transformational change to assessing value for money, incorporating economic, social and cultural value into appraisals and evaluation, (following best practice guidance set out by HM Treasury’s Green Book).
You can use this framework to help articulate the impact of culture and heritage interventions. It is a developing resource that will evolve through ongoing consultation with the sector.
Embedding a Culture and Heritage Capital Approach
Read the latest version of the CHC framework
This version of the framework is an update to the 2021 Framework, which provided a starting point and outlined the ambitions of the programme.
It should be read alongside the CHC proto-typology report which provided the theoretical foundations for the framework.
Collaboration
Stakeholders
DCMS is pleased to be collaborating with many of our arm’s-length bodies (ALBs) on CHC to establish an agreed economic approach for valuing our cultural heritage assets and the benefits they provide to people and businesses.
Some of these ALBs have their own websites dedicated to Culture and Heritage Capital with specific guidance:
Many other ALBs are collaborating with us on CHC including:
- the British Film Institute (BFI)
- the British Council
- the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF)
- Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
In October 2022, DCMS and the AHRC opened bids for funding in order to develop a robust and holistic approach for capturing and articulating the value of culture and heritage. Six projects have been funded as part of this research programme.
For a summary of these projects see AHRC/DCMS CHC Research Programme - Bid Recipients
The projects taken forward as part of the AHRC / DCMS Research Programme have been informed by the Scoping Culture and Heritage Capital report, commissioned jointly in November 2021 by AHRC and DCMS.
Governance
CHC Advisory Board
The CHC Programme is governed by an advisory board, connecting principal decision makers with leaders and experts from across culture and heritage organisations and academia. The Board provides strategic and technical direction to the programme, discusses the aims and objectives for the group and provides advice to help improve the sector’s ability to demonstrate its value.
The Board is chaired by Lord Neil Mendoza, Chairman of Historic England.
Full members include:
- Lord Mendoza (Chair) - Chairman, Historic England
- Prof Hasan Bakhshi, MBE - Director of the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
- Prof Ian Bateman, OBE - Professor, University of Exeter Business School
- Prof May Cassar, CBE - Founding Director, UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage
- Prof Geoffrey Crossick - Professor, School of Advanced Study, University of London
- Darren Henley, OBE - Chief Executive, Arts Council England
- Sir Laurie Magnus - Chair, Heritage of London Trust
- Eilish McGuinness - Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Prof Susana Mourato- Professor, LSE, Department for Geography and the Environment
- René Olivieri, CBE - Chair of the National Trust
- Jessica Pulay, CBE - Chair, Wallace Collection
- Prof Christopher Smith - Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council
- Prof David Throsby, AO - Professor, Macquarie University, Department of Economics
- Duncan Wilson, CBE, OBE - Chief Executive, Historic England
Underneath the Advisory Board sits the CHC Steering Group and Working Group, with representation from across our ALBs and the culture and heritage sectors.
If your organisation is interested in joining the steering group, get in touch:
Email: chc@dcms.gov.uk
CHC Research Expert Group
The CHC Research Programme, run by AHRC and DCMS, is overseen by the CHC Research Expert Group (REG).
The REG offers technical and advisory support, as well as monitoring projects to ensure they meet quality standards. Additionally, the REG ensures projects meet the programme objectives.
Members include:
- May Cassar CBE - Professor, University College London
- Geoffrey Crossick - Professor, University of London
- Douglas Noonan - Professor, IU Indianapolis
- David Stevenson - Professor, Queen Margaret University
- Dr. Catherine Eagleton - University of St Andrews
- Nicola Thomas - Professor, University of Exeter
- Alan Collins - Professor, Nottingham Trent University
- Giorgio Fazio - Research Director, Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Natural Capital Team
Using CHC in your work
This guidance is for people who want to learn about culture and heritage capital and how to apply it.
Current guidance
In addition to the CHC Framework, guidance from Arts Council England is also available for specific assets.
Use these guidance notes if you are working for:
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a regional museum
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a local museum
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a gallery
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a theatre
More information will be added to this page as the programme develops.
Contribute to research
DCMS works closely with academics and the sector to develop the CHC Framework.
However, we are keen to hear from anyone who:
- would like to contribute to/get involved with the CHC programme
- has done/is doing work that may be relevant to the CHC programme
- would like to know more about our work
If this applies to you, get in touch.
Email: chc@dcms.gov.uk.
Research case study: CHC conference
The Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference was held on 11 March 2022. Attendees heard from experts and leaders in the sector who discussed the importance of valuing the benefits of culture and heritage, how the programme is being delivered and how people can use the resources made available by DCMS and partners.
Watch the Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference 2022
Updates to this page
Last updated 17 December 2024 + show all updates
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Restructured page with links to new research and publications.
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Added link to Historic England: Heritage Capital and Wellbeing - Examining the Relationship Between Heritage Density and Life Satisfaction.
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Publication of AHRC/DCMS Research call bid recipients
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Three publications have been added to the list of 'DCMS reports.
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Edited the membership of the Advisory Board. Added Eilish McGuinness, changed René Olivieri organisation to the National Trust.
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Adding resources from the Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference 2022
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Editing information on Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference
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Added resources (video and slides) from the Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference 2022.
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Edited the description of the Rapid Evidence Assessment to note the Evidence Bank will be updated as values from new studies are added.
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Removed information about the Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference which took place on 11th March 2022. This page will be updated with links to the recording and slides when they are available. Removed Ros Kerslake OBE from the list of Advisory Board Members.
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Added information on the Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital Conference.
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Edited details of the AHRC/DCMS Scoping culture and heritage capital research study to include information on the project team and the project commencement date. Edited details of the membership of the Culture and Heritage Capital Advisory Board.
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Uploaded a video by Lord Mendoza providing an overview of the Culture and Heritage Capital programme.
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An invitation to researchers to apply for funding for the 'Scoping culture and heritage capital research' which is co-funded by AHRC and DCMS has been added to the Culture and Heritage Capital portal.
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First published.