Commodification of Traditional Musical Modalities and Cultural Identity (Re)constructions on Prince Edward Island,1980s to the Present

This project explores the commodification and marketing of traditional Prince Edward Island musical culture over the past forty years in light of the experiences and understandings of individuals who have been prominent players in the traditional music sector over the past four decades. This process will be explored by investigating the relationships that exist between major government/government-adjacent organizations (cultural and touristic funding organizations) and the traditional musicians who apply for and receive said funding. The researcher anticipates that the outcome of the study will demonstrate the subtle ways in which funding processes like cultural or tourism grants create incentive for artists to shape their artistic expression and their own conceptions of traditionalism, as well as the ways by which artists may offer resistance to these pressures.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lisa Chilton

Student:

Partner:

Fédération culturelle de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Information and cultural industries

University:

University of Prince Edward Island

Program: