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Arts funding has nothing to do with tuxedos
October 1, 2008
I’m writing in response to the corny and shortsighted comments from Stephen Harper regarding “arts galas and tuxedos” I find the well-rehearsed, patronizing folksiness of these sort of remarks to be just disgusting. I’ve been a working artist for 10 years. I have benefited greatly from a variety of arts funding. Before I make my main point, I will state for the record that I’ve never been to an arts gala or anything that might require me to wear a tuxedo. I’m not sure I know anyone in my line of work who has. I’m sure that those “poor ole’ down home folks” who “wouldn’t relate” to such things also wouldn’t relate to some of the high society dinners his job might take him to, either. But I digress. The subject of arts funding is really the funding of maintenance and protection of a fragile cultural voice. It’s very easy to see how, without protection, Canada would drown in a deluge of American entertainment and cultural offerings. It all comes down to population. Canada’s is sparse, and spread out over thousands of kilometres. It means that cultural products created and sold in Canada only ever have the opportunity to garner “so much” in revenue. Consequently, Canadian companies in the business of arts and arts groups are never in a financial position to compete in the kind of ways that well-funded American companies can on a global scale. It also means that powerful American companies dealing in entertainment and culture have the money and resources to overwhelm the competition (in this case Canada). This isn’t about galas and tuxedos; it is about the protection of a great and unique voice in the world. Don’t be fooled by the “down home” tone of Stephen Harper. The back-slapping boys’ clubs and the expensive corporate friends that he and the Conservatives keep would be much harder for you and me to relate to than these fictional galas, indeed. Hawksley Workman Class divisions... or lies.
Submitted by Tyler Austin from Huntsville
on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 8:54 pm
This entire parliament has nothing more then political limbo. Every time one thinks the bar has sunk as far down as it can get someone else bends over backwards just a bit more.
Personally I think it’s pathetic that our Prime Minister has to stoop so low as to refer to class conflict to make a point. By painting a picture (so to speak) of artists as some kind of elitist group sipping champaign in some ivory tower while the poor blue collar workers who don’t care about that crap suffer is not only incredibly condescending to everyone involved, but out and out dishonest. All the 'right honourable' Mr. Harper would have to do is drive down main street Huntsville to see how important the arts are to the average Canadian. Notice statue of Tom Thompson? How about that half of the stores sell artwork produced by local artist? Maybe he might notice that the vast majority of them can’t pay the bills with art alone and have a ‘real’ job? Not blue collar mind you, because the economy is getting so bad most artists are of the starving variety in “no collar†service industries. The next person to shine our Prime Ministers’ shoes on his way to an art gala might just be the next Tom Thompson… if Harper decided to put his narrow minded ideology and divisive lies aside. Harper is On the Mark, the noise proves it.
Submitted by Nigel Stokes from Huntsville Ontario
on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I am amazed at the amount of press coverage that a minor $45M dollar cut in Arts Funding has received. Give us all a break. The leftist Media and Artists who live on the grants and monies they receive from these programs are a noisy bunch. All of the commenting “artistsâ€, are also clearly in a conflict of interest and like many people would prefer to be paid by the government rather than their own efforts. Well the party is over. People who work for a living would rather have their taxes reduced or tax money freed up for Healthcare. Not that $45M will go vary far. Canadian Art can stand on its own two feet like so many other industries are forced to do in Canada. Have some confidence. Great Art will get great attention and fan support from the marketplace without government money. Drivel can never find a market.
Tuxedo
Submitted by Liz Goode from Vancouver BC
on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 1:37 pm
But Hawksley.... I have seen you wear a tuxedo top, or at least a dinner jacket, several times. Perhaps dinner/suit/tuxedo jackets are no longer restrained to a place or time, free to express their tailored flavor at any and all occasions. But I digress....
I agree that Canadian arts need protection, in order to protect the unique and outstanding voices (literal and figurative) of our exceptional performers, yours included. While not undermining their valid and valued contribution to our culture, we are a small population inundated with American arts by our southern neighbors, and we needs to keep their own voices loud. I urge our government and private funders to ensure that Canadian identity stays separate and distinguishable, like our country. Mr. Marsh, take your tax “mooney†and your toxic attitude and stuff it up North America’s figurative butt. If you can’t stand behind your fellow Canadians, then go away. Arts
Submitted by Stan Lindsay from Alberta
on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 1:30 pm
My mindset on arts is, they are a group of people who do what they love and charge for admittance, why ask the tax payer to fork up their hard earned money.
If anyone wants to watch people on stage etc. they are the ones who should pay more at the box office, not us pensioners or minimum wage earners, so who are you Hawksley to be upset about what we do with what is left of our money, if you are so upset, pay more for your admission, or donate "your" money and all your wealthy friends can do the same. Arts Funding
Submitted by G.A. Marsh from Manitoba
on Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I completely agree with Mr. Harper, if I had a chance I would cut more. If Canadian Art is so appealing to the N.A. public it should be able to sustain itself. Why do relatvely few go to Canadian Film and Theatre projects...simple..they are not good. I don't want my tax mooney going to "some Artist" that I don't even like or know. I have been a working artist for 25 years, no handouts, if someone likes my art they buy it, if not I have some decisions to make. The small percentage that want to go to symphony, ballet, plays etc should pay for it. Not someone who has no interest and never will have. This socialism in the arts is pathetic, but then it does guarantee lots of money for people on the take...including CBC. if people want to make art, write books write music, paint pictures do so if they are good someone will buy them.
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