Attributing Value to Cultural Facilities: The Case of a Public Archive in Brazil

[PRE-RELEASED VERSION]

Ana Flávia Machado, Márcia Almada, Cínthia Santos Silva

Ana Flávia Machado is a Full professor at Economics Department in Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. CNPq productivity grant holder since 2004. Leader of the research group on Cultural Economics (e´cult) registered on CNPq.
Márcia Almada is an Associate Professor at Fine Arts Scholl in Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Specialist in Paper Conserva­tion. Co-leader of the research group on Cultural Heritage registered on CNPq.
Cínthia Santos Silva is a PhD candidate in Economics at the Center for Development and Regional Planning at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (CEDEPLAR).

ABSTRACT
This study constitutes the first application of contingent valuation (CV) to a public archive. It addresses a gap in the field of cultural economics, which is traditionally focused on museums, libraries, and environmental heritage. The Public Archive of Minas Gerais (APM) – Brazil’s oldest archival institution and the focus of this valuation – posed methodological challenges owing to its hybrid cultural and administrative functions and limited public visibility. To mitigate information bias, respondents were provided with detailed descriptions of the institution’s services prior to valuation. A survey of 366 individuals was carried out online and in-person between October 2023 and March 2024. It measured cultural practices, socio-demographic characteristics, familiarity with the archive, and willingness to contribute either through the allocation of tax revenues or via non-recurring donations. Descriptive statistics and a Probit regression model were employed to identify determinants of willingness to pay. The findings indicate strong recognition of the institution’s cultural values, but a low awareness of its civic roles. This study advances the application of CV methodology to under-researched cultural institutions and provides empirical evidence to support improved communication strategies and policy frameworks for archives.

KEYWORDS
Public Archive of Minas Gerais; culture; contingent valuation; cultural policy; archives