The Role of Cultural Institutions in a Changing World

The General Authority for Cultural Palaces as a Model

Abstract

This study examined the evolution of the role of cultural institutions in Egypt in light of successive political, social, and economic transformations, using the General Authority for Cultural Palaces as a case study. A descriptive-analytical approach was employed by tracing the historical development of the Authority from its early beginnings within the "Popular University" project in the mid-twentieth century, through the institutional transformations following the July 1952 Revolution, its reorganization as a public authority in 1989, and its contemporary roles during the last decade (2015–2025). The study relied on the analysis of official documents and reports issued by the Authority, in addition to a review of previous studies related to mass cultural work and cultural policies. The findings revealed a gradual transformation in the functions of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, marked by a shift from traditional cultural dissemination toward employing culture as a tool for economic, social, cognitive, and digital empowerment. The results also indicated the Authority’s role in promoting cultural justice and expanding access to cultural services for marginalized groups and remote areas. The study concluded that the experience of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces represents a significant model for the transformation of cultural institutions from traditional service-oriented frameworks into effective developmental institutions capable of adapting to contemporary changes and contributing to sustainable development and human development in Egypt.