tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post1789631529787489169..comments2024-03-22T08:58:11.573+00:00Comments on Third Angel Blog: A bit cross, actuallyThird Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269743427680330796noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-51271466725376832062011-07-12T16:02:18.265+01:002011-07-12T16:02:18.265+01:00Well, this is a somewhat belated response to the c...Well, this is a somewhat belated response to the comments on this entry - apologies for that, but as some of you will know, we have been at the sharp end of the funding cuts of late. (And, fortunately, the, what - handle end?)<br /><br />Everyone - thanks very for the comments...<br /><br />Nicholas - I certainly would like a steadIER career, and make no apology for that. I don't know any artists, though, who are "completely reliant" on what you refer to as "state funding". Arts Council funding is part of the mix, and when used and distributed well actually frees artists up to make the work that they want, rather than work that fits a particular commission, commercial or otherwise, or market demand.<br /><br />Also, I don't view Arts Council funding as "state" funding. I view it as support from my community, it comes from the tax payer (and has been demonstrated elsewhere, is arguably all from tax raised by the arts). That support is distributed by the government, but that does not make me their employee. Societies need artists - public funding is one of the ways those artists are paid.<br /><br />Clive - I agree that the 'funded from its own revenues' argument doesn't necessarily translate to other funded aspects of society. I pursued it as an answer to a vey particular question that I had heard directed at the arts. I know that Daniel Bye is currently developing a show called The Price of Everything that, amongst other things, explores that very question. Worth looking out for this autumn/early next year.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202310627787275446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-78596589662033632712011-03-21T21:47:19.649+00:002011-03-21T21:47:19.649+00:00A very clear and cogent 'rant'.
I partic...A very clear and cogent 'rant'. <br />I particularly felt the relevance of your comments about living comfortably not being harmful to your ability to make valid and interesting art. After all, have the bankers been more risk averse because of their large salaries and bonuses? I think not.<br />The question of all the tax revenue from the sector being used to support the sector is an interesting one. I instinctively like it, but am also aware that tax revenue is also used to fund road building, police, and other societal resources that underpin most activity people undertake, including the arts. However, I did find myself wondering what would happen to some other sectors if the same principle was applied. Are there sectors whose contribution to tax revenue is considerably less than its use of those revenues?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06807212597356572669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-12779555985662662162011-03-21T11:03:40.155+00:002011-03-21T11:03:40.155+00:00Nicholas, if artists wanted steady jobs, they'...Nicholas, if artists wanted steady jobs, they'd get them. Most artists are well qualified, multi-skilled and resourceful (they have to be to survive). The vast majority of regularly funded organisations' income is less (often much less) than 50% of their turnover, so the assertion that they've become government employees is simply not true. The funding system has certainly become more explicitly instrumental in its approach, but to blame the artists for this doesn't make sense. If the arts are stagnating, as you assert, it isn't because some artists can afford office or rehearsal space for 3 years as a result of a small amount of regular funding.Hilshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01687351228874360080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-61084625440991345852011-03-18T09:39:55.849+00:002011-03-18T09:39:55.849+00:00Seems to me that both author and contributors are ...Seems to me that both author and contributors are really after steady jobs and careers, which is apt because if your arts career is based on state funding then you are more of a government employee than an artist. <br /><br />With all the discussions I've heard about arts and funding cuts over the past few months, it's shocking how many artists are completely reliant on state funding and can't contemplate a world without it. Personally I think the arts in the UK has really stagnated and artists have been transformed into arbiters of government policy. <br /><br />If having to make our own way in the world means we begin to recapture a more independent outlook and stop becoming state social workers, then that's no bad thing in my opinion.Niall Crowleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06936147384566622909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-70713361066536815872011-03-17T16:03:41.517+00:002011-03-17T16:03:41.517+00:00Alex I'm not surprised your blog was retweeted...Alex I'm not surprised your blog was retweeted so much. Great piece of writing. I came out of drama school in 1981 - and this is the most precarious I have ever felt. As Antoinette says 'La lutte continue' - and non-violent protest is no longer required. Art v Capitalism - it's not a fight it's a war.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18095258415795739620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-27221132191476986542011-03-16T15:25:52.627+00:002011-03-16T15:25:52.627+00:00Well done. Regarding the schools and either/or poi...Well done. Regarding the schools and either/or point: there are countless studies showing how art improves reading/math scores and achievement. Not to mention critical thinking. To cut art funding in favor of school funding is absurd.Javthompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06526368311535467579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-13856347183144869142011-03-16T15:04:46.397+00:002011-03-16T15:04:46.397+00:00Alex
I could not agree more- Having spent the pa...Alex <br /><br />I could not agree more- Having spent the part 8 years making and touring work (both funded and unfunded) and as the company members now reach our 30’s we have also reached a point where if we do not receive support we will simply cease to exist.....<br /><br />This is not about generating creativity, this is about the basic means to be able to feed, support and share creativity that is already alive and kicking. It saddens me that people could ( and indeed do) suggest that cuts to arts funding is in some way an opportunity in disguise.<br /><br />Jemma ( The Paper Birds)Jemmamcdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144490656674329912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-70437072055582217822011-03-16T13:12:08.213+00:002011-03-16T13:12:08.213+00:00If that was a rant - rant on! Extremely well argue...If that was a rant - rant on! Extremely well argued - thank you on behalf of those of us too angry,and weary, to formulate either a coherent argument, or a satisfying rant, any more.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715708864425229560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-79177096151898537872011-03-16T12:34:18.411+00:002011-03-16T12:34:18.411+00:00I've heard the argument so often and fought ag...I've heard the argument so often and fought against it for so many years...great to hear your voice and measured words. Hardly a rant, I'd say. I remember nearly throwing a book on the economic importance of the arts at a couple of arts ministers (they weren't allowed to use the word culture back in the 80s). And the amount of wasted creativity that went into wrting business docs, strategic analyses and arts council applications. And still does, I'm sure.<br />But, as we declared nack in the 68, La lutte continue...the fight goes on...antoinettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04215318163491971777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-78677944674863245082011-03-15T17:40:17.280+00:002011-03-15T17:40:17.280+00:00Thanks Alex, that rant was needed! Your not alone ...Thanks Alex, that rant was needed! Your not alone in your anger...<br />Rachel (Active Ingredient)Rachel Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14242699486047808098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3790996073537182361.post-90170462016454489582011-03-15T17:24:11.744+00:002011-03-15T17:24:11.744+00:00Considered rails against the smug apologists of cu...Considered rails against the smug apologists of cultural desecration: pricelessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com