The cultural potential of the modern Russian region: infrastructure and consumption of services by the population (on the example of the Vologda region

The object of analysis in the article is the Russian region cultural potential in the context of infrastructure development and consumption of cultural and leisure services by the population. The purpose of the study is to identify quantitative and qualitative characteristics of various components of the cultural sphere of the region. The empirical basis is statistical data, reports from authorities, government programs and projects, as well as monitoring public opinion materials of Vologda region population in 2022 (n=1500). The methodology is based on a resource approach to studying the cultural potential of the region. Statistical data analysis shows negative trends in terms of a reduction in the number of cultural and leisure institutions in the region, a decrease in the consumption of certain types of services for 2000–2022, and the lag of municipal districts and rural areas in the development of cultural and leisure infrastructure compared to large cities. Positive changes are associated with the implementation of a comprehensive state cultural policy both on the part of the federal center and on the part of regional authorities: increasing in overall budget expenditures on culture was revealed with an insufficient share of extra-budgetary sources of funding. As an effective resource for leveling out problems with the involvement of extra-budgetary sources, examples of the participation of private investors within the framework of public-private and public-municipal partnerships are given. The results of the sociological survey recorded positive changes in the population’s assessment of the general situation in the cultural and leisure sphere of the region, identified the range of popular cultural, leisure and sports services, and a high level of satisfaction with their quality, which exceeds the Russian average. It has been established that the older generation; categories of residents with a low level of education and low-income residents are less active in consuming cultural and leisure services. As age increases, attendance at all of the institutions offered for choice decreases. The set of analysis results substantiates the need to use a more differentiated approach to the development of national and regional cultural policies, focusing on socio-demographic categories of the population, taking into account their needs.

cultural and leisure infrastructure, culture, potential, region, sociological diagnostics, territories, consumption of services