Arts Advocacy

Many would agree that the arts are an integral and fundamental component of any culture but, unfortunately, this view is not universal. As you may be aware, there are those who would cut funding for arts and art education–in many cases these are the same people who support increased military spending.

Everyone is familiar with the orthodox images of the ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta. Athens is thought of as a culturally rich, enlightened society that embraces art, intellect, and humanity, while Sparta is often portrayed as a militaristic society that places war and military prowess above all else. We must ask ourselves, to which ideal should we be aspiring? (On a side note, these familiar characterizations of the famous city-states are not quite historically accurate, but that is not the topic of this essay.)

In 2005, the Pentagon received nearly 700 times as much funding as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Gallery of Art combined. The total funding for all art related organizations at the federal, state, and local levels was just over $10 billion in 2004, according to the National Endowment for the Arts. This may seem like a lot of money, but it is 40 times less than what the Pentagon received. Clearly the tax dollars are available, they are simply being spent in the wrong place. Government spending on the arts could be doubled at the expense of less than 3f our annual military budget.

Again, we must ask ourselves where our priorities lie. Athens or Sparta?

In Canada, in 1990 the Cultural Industries Development Fund was established to "target entrepreneurs working in book and magazine publishing, sound recording, film and video production and multimedia."

Then, the Broadcasting Act of 1991 was passed, which:

1. emphasizes the importance of bilingualism, multiculturalism and the special place of Aboriginal people in Canadian society

2. promotes employment equity for women, aboriginal people and visible minorities

3. emphasizes the importance of programming which is Canadian in both content and character

In 1992, the Report of the Federal Standing Committee on Communications and Culture was released. The report recommends:

1. a five per cent increase in government funding for the arts

2. increased support for the Canada Council for the Arts

3. amendments to the Copyright Act to ensure compensation for Canadian artists

4. stable funding for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Also, the Status of the Artist Act in Canada recognizes "the importance of the contribution of artists to the cultural, social, economic and political enrichment of Canada."

Clearly, Canada places an emphasis on the arts in their society and recognizes the cultural importance in doing so. We should do the same.

The United Kingdom also recognizes the importance of arts advocacy. According to Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport in England:

“One of the wonderful things about great art is that true lovers of it never want to keep it to themselves – they want all the world to know. There is nothing selfish or exclusive in their enthusiasm, nor does wider appreciation weaken the force of the art. The argument for public subsidy accordingly rests above all on the desire that all, not just a minority, should have access to the thrill of engagement with great art.”

She reveals another interesting thought in the following statement:

“[W]hen [the] government spends the nation’s marginal income – taxation – on 'culture'…it cannot avoid…making…value judgments. Why is it right for the Royal Opera House, to receive huge public subsidies? Why do we subsidize symphony orchestras but not pub bands or pianists? Why do we subsidize performances of Shakespeare and Mahler but not Coldplay or Madonna?”

This is something I have given considerable thought to. It is so difficult–nearly impossible–for a band to devote a few weeks or months to touring. Often, it is not possible to take time off work or it is simply too expensive for a band without the necessary capital to pay for a tour. Of all the touring bands in the US, I would imagine that a negligible percent of them profit by touring. There should be government subsidies for musicians, as well as other artists, who don’t have the necessary financial means to pursue their craft.

We are growing ever closer to the Spartan military society. If you have ever seen the way the military is glamorized in television commercials then you know exactly what I mean. We need to avoid this, we need to strive for a more Athenian ideal in our society. We should be supporting education and the arts rather than global military conquest.

To conclude, I’ll leave you with a quote from Elliot Eisner–professor of education and art at Stanford University. He says,

"To neglect the contribution of the arts in education, either through inadequate time, resources, or poorly trained teachers is to deny children access to one of the most stunning aspects of their culture and one of the most potent means for developing their minds."

-g- (written Spring 2005)