Cultural pursuits impose a penalty on skills (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
fine arts
'cultural pursuits impose a' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'penalty on skills' is the wordplay.
'penalty' becomes 'fine' (a financial penalty).
'on' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'skills' becomes 'arts' (art can mean a skill or talent).
'fine'+'arts'='FINE ARTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fine arts that I've seen before include "Fan tries to get painting sculpture etc" , "Creative works appealing to sense of beauty" , "Painting, music etc" , "paintings and poetry etc" , "Those appreciated for their beauty" .)