The aim of the research of doctoral work is to determine the influence of cultural policies on the development of the town of Sisak in the socialist period, and the influence of cultural policies on the population of the city and its cultural practices. The research involves archival material, newspaper articles, statistical data, literature etc. The fundamental research problem is the connection between the implementation of cultural policy and the reception of the public towards culture based on the example of the city of Sisak from 1945 to 1965. It is being researched how the authorities have been trying to organize cultural life within the proclaimed cultural policy and what was the real situation within the population of the city in such endeavors. For this purpose, cultural policies are being questioned, depending on the political situation in the country in the period of 20 years and the way in which these models have been transmitted to the local level. The role of cultural institutions and media in cultural development is emphasized. At the same time, it confronts official culture policy with popular culture in order to see the level of penetration of one culture to the public and their role in the development of the socialist society. The paper is divided into two major periods related to changes in cultural policy development. The first is the Agitprop period from 1945 to 1952, and the second is the Self-management period from 1952 to 1965. The first period is characterized by centralization, bureaucratization and enlightenment, and considerable influence of the USSR. The second period is characterized by decentralization, debureaucratization and democratization, and the great influence of the West. Though division is not strict, however, it can serve to understand changes in cultural government policies and changes in cultural practices of the population. First period, was characterized by the impact of mass organizations on the population which was directed on mass participation in cultural and educational activities. In the second period, this intensity is falling and in the focus come activities of various institutions that are trying to compete for the public and the impact of popular culture manifested through Western influences such as jazz, rock & roll, entertainment music, clothes, and radio and television. Two key things derived from the selfmanaging era were the democratization of cultural life and the emergence of the market. Both have had a major impact on changes in cultural practices of the population, as well as changes in the intensity and quality of cultural policy implementation. The research suggests that the authorities, through the implementation of cultural policies, tried to act on the formation of a "new socialist man" who was supposed to be the bearer of social change at all levels.