Who defines culture? It's time to reject the outdated divide between high and low art.

The article examines the evolving definitions and perceptions of culture, highlighting the tension between traditional "high art" and popular culture amid shifts toward democratization and commercialisation. It discusses how Arts Council England’s language change from "art" and "artists" to "culture" and "creative practitioners" reflects efforts to make culture more inclusive and less elitist. Drawing on sociological and economic perspectives, the article explores how cultural value is contested and shaped by social, political, and market forces, questioning who holds the power to define and fund culture. It also addresses the paradox of creativity being both universally accessible and commodified, illustrating this with examples from media and the arts, and suggests that cultural value need not be diminished by popularity or profit.