Publications

Summary

This presentation reports on a qualitative study examining the impact of American mass culture on the cultural sectors of Quebec’s regional communities. In a context of globalization and the rapid expansion of digital media, regional communities are particularly exposed to Americanization. Cultural stakeholders describe this phenomenon as longstanding, pervasive, and difficult to avoid. Based on twenty interviews conducted with professional artists and cultural workers across five regions of Quebec (Laval, Outaouais, Laurentides, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, and Côte-Nord), the analysis reveals ambivalent effects. While Americanization serves as a source of inspiration for some, it also contributes to market saturation, reduces the discoverability of local cultural works, and poses a risk to the vitality of regional culture.

The study draws on the theoretical framework developed by Hartmut Rosa in Alienation and Acceleration (2014) to examine the effects of technological acceleration, social acceleration, and the acceleration of the pace of life on regional cultural sectors. The findings show that, despite the influence of Americanization, regional cultural communities develop strategies of resistance, adaptation, and resilience. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping cultural life in Quebec’s regions and highlights the need for differentiated cultural policies that support the promotion and long-term sustainability of local cultures.