In large parts of the world culture and cultural policies are under pressure. To resist the gloom of recession, old mindsets must be relinquished and replaced by new, positive ways of thinking. Now more than ever, an exchange of arguments and analyses is at the fore. In this first issue of Cultural Policy Update support models from Europe, Asia and Australia are under scrutiny. The old model of the patron state is wearing out; much is expected from a diversification of funding sources. This includes the use of trading and contracting models, as well as an increase in private support.