Abstract: The author refers to the relevant historical topic – the implementation of cultural policy of the Russian Empire in the so-called Little Russian provinces. The study of this topic allows demonstrating the multiplicity and multifacetedness of cultural policy of the Russian Empire and identify the main difficulties of its implementation. The article examines the paramount component of cultural policy of the Russian Empire in the XX century – educational. The establishment of state institutions in the sphere of implementation of cultural and educational policy in Russia faced vast amount of problems, one of which concerned the revival of national consciousness of the Ukrainian (Little Russian) population of southwestern provinces. The formation of educational environment (primarily university) contributed the consolidation of Ukrainophile views among certain groups of intellectuals, which resulted in analyzing and emphasizing the sovereignty of the local Ukrainian cultural specificity. The article provides definition to the concept of “cultural policy” and its conceptualization applicable to chronological framework of the research. The author comes to the conclusion that the educational component of cultural policy of the Russian Empire was developing gradually, but at the same time capable of achieving the set goals. Namely this substantiated the awakening of Ukrainophile activity, followed by the rise of Ukrainian nationalism.