Using an experimental design and controlling for sponsor-sponsee fit perceptions, it is investigated how an individual’s cultural interest impacts on a cultural sponsor’s reputation. Results display that cultural interest exerts a negative impact on the likeability dimension of a cultural sponsor’s reputation.

Using an experimental design, it is investigated how a cultural institution’s image dimensions are influenced by a sponsorship and its perceived level of sponsor-sponsee fit. Controlling for an individual’s cultural interest, results show that sponsors, depending on their level of congruency, can influence certain sponsee’s image associations.