The rule of Viceroy Károly Khuen-Héderváry signifies a large period of Croatian 19th century history – from 1883 to 1903. Older historiographic depictions tend to draw a negative picture of this period. There have been recent attempts of deconstructing this interpretation; however, the period is still lacking in systematic research. This doctoral thesis analyses the main cultural factors during the rule of viceroy Khuen-Héderváry which clearly influenced the development of key cultural and scientific institutions in the Kingdom of Croatia and Slavonia and the city of Zagreb as a Croatian center in particular. The gradual establishment of cultural policies in Croatia-Slavonia is traced in conjunction within the broader context of the Habsburg Monarchy, considering that cultural policies in Austria and Hungary as well as the dynastic patronage of the Habsburgs can be regarded as crucial influence factors. This thesis pinpoints the Section of Worship and Education as a crucial location of formulating cultural policies implemented by the Provincial government. Broader political factors as well as the role of the viceroy Khuen-Héderváry have also been taken into consideration. The analysis of budgetary trends and the administrative financial aspects of funding culture provide a clear insight into the evolution of cultural institutions such as the Croatian National Theatre, Musical Institute or the Provincial Museum as well as various cultural societies. Also considered is the individual work of the heads of the Section of Worship and Education, Ivan Vončina, Stjepan Spevec, Izidor Kršnjavi, Oton Krajcsovics, Teodor Mallin and Armin Pavić. Their projects and work in general shaped the outline of cultural policies, defined the scope and magnitude of Section activities and impacted the intellectual and artistic dynamic and other important debates during the twenty year long reign of viceroy Khuen-Héderváry. The analysis of the main problems regarding cultural policies contemplates both the negative and positive factors as well as widespread processes which directed the art scene, intellectual activities and the development of popular culture. The thesis is based on various conceptual and methodological groundworks, analysing numerous problems such as the centre-periphery relation, cultural transfers, issues regarding nonsynchronism and other cultural topics with the help of comparative and biographical methods as well as approaches established by the new political history and cultural history.