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September 03, 2009
Submitted by Alliance
Media Release Re: Wednesday's Meeting
MEDIA RELEASE: "Culture Matters" was the core message that arts community leaders agreed on at a gathering yesterday at the H.R. McMillan Space Centre's auditorium.
More than 65 BC arts organizations were represented, and many individual artists and arts patrons were also in attendance.
"There is a great deal of anger and frustration right now." said Alliance Executive Director Amir Ali Alibhai, "Our task is to channel that anger into constructive initiatives. This was just the first of many meetings and actions that the Alliance will be spearheading in the weeks and months to come."
"We know that culture matters and that it is a vital part of the fabric of our communities" said Mr. Alibhai. "We also know that it is a powerful economic force that creates jobs and supports other business sectors. And we know that culture is the beating heart of a civil society.
"What we must do is find new and compelling ways to share that knowledge with others, rally our natural allies and build new alliances to make the case that 'Culture Matters' to those who will be making future budget decisions"
Among the key points raised during the wide-ranging two-hour discussion were:
- The need to continue to address elected and non-elected government officials in a respectful and constructive manner;
- The need to emphasize the point that the arts community does not stand alone but is part of a larger "social profit" sector that includes community sports and social services -- which together with business and government form the real "culture" of our community;
- Mobilize our many allies and supporters, including our service providers and other businesses we work with, to let their elected representatives know that "Culture Matters" to them;
- Educate ourselves, our audiences and the public as to the full scope of overall funding cuts;
- Ensure that the public understands that Gaming Grant funds are not "taxes" and are part of a larger "social contract" that government entered into with the people of British Columbia at the onset of gaming in this province;
- Sustain these and other strategies and initiatives in the long term so that it is clear to governments at all levels that we are going to heard, and responded to, now and in the future.
"The energy in the room Wednesday was great, and it felt good to see so many of us in the arts community ready to work together." said Mr. Alibhai. "The Alliance is committed to providing the leadership and providing a communications hub for that work."
The beginnings of an umbrella advocacy committee emerged from Wednesday's meeting, with sub-committes formed to work on important aspects of advocacy work and share the results with the entire community.
"Yesterday's announcement that the Ministry of Housing and Social Services is restoring funding to multi-year Gaming Grant recipients was welcome news, and a great relief to many arts groups." said Mr. Alibhai. "But it represents only a slight pause in the assault on arts funding across the board, and we must multiply our efforts to reverse what is really an abrogation of a social contract.
Further details of the discussion at Wednesday’s meeting, and information about the Advocacy Committee, will be posted on the Alliance website at www.allianceforarts.com in the coming days.
The Alliance for Arts and Culture was founded in 1986 to provide advocacy and professional training services to the Metro Vancouver arts community, strengthen its collective voice and facilitate community connections and dialogue. The Alliance currently has 350 member organizations, businesses and individuals.
Media Contact:
Kevin Dale McKeown
Director of Communications
Alliance for Arts and Culture
604.681.3535 (215)
kdm@allianceforarts.com
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I actually really like the
I actually really like the "petri dish" connotation of the phrase "culture matters". If we're making the case that the arts are integral to society, I can't think of anything more important than an arts community that incubates new ideas and forms of expression. I'm all for further brain-storming on slogans but I've liked this one since I heard it mentioned at the Vancouver Museum meeting on Wednesday.
Leadership
I agree with Tom that now is the time for the Alliance to show some leadership.
I am tired of having to apologize for being an artist. I do not practice my art by being fearful of what my audience will think of it. I do not change my dance if it might offend. I believe that if my dance is done with integrity, with conviction, with discipline, with a clear point of view, that it will be recognized as art even if it is also misunderstood by those with closed minds. I view this crisis as an artistic opportunity to create some real theatre that grabs the public imagination. I wish the Alliance would show some imagination and more gumption. We need stronger encouragement to take action instead of being fearful that we might cause some kind of backlash. If the Quebec government treated its artists this way, there would be immediately be public action. In BC, we form committees to discuss what we should do.
The Alliance is aware that there is a rally organized by the dance community that will be held on Wednesday, September 9th at noon at Robson Square where we will be visually creating a grey square as a body of artists. It would be appreciated if this kind of creative and necessary action had more support from the Alliance. Those members of the Alliance and the general public that are reading this are invited to join us. We will bring grey posters to hold in front of our faces. We will stand in silence and the public can make of it what it will. The media has been informed and can explain if they want to. We need to stimulate continued discussion of this crisis. We cannot do that by just talking to ourselves.
Slogans
I seem to be missing a message I thought I had sent last night. Anyway, what I wanted to say was: Thanks, Amir, for your reply, and I agree that a coherent strategy is necessary. I trust you to make responsible and intelligent decisions.
Because I deplore the endless "why don't we"s without any offer of help or involvement, I am offering to organise a think tank to come up with a new bright and positive slogan. I would ask for Kevin's help in doing this.
I am also willing to help wherever possible.
Tom
Hi Tom - I agree - we ave
Hi Tom - I agree - we ave been collecting the suggestions - awaiting Hazel's notes - and reviewing them in light of a coherent strategy. I agree that a better slogan is possible - but we need to begin somewhere. Suggestions are welcome.
Cheers
Amir
Responses to meeting, etc.
I'm disappointed that more people are not using this blog to express their ideas and comments. I am uneasy about the anonimity of Facebook as well as the multiplicity of suggestions and the reptition of “why don’t we”. I think the current crisis calls for strong and decisive leadership, otherwise people will go on with ideas, many of which are very good, forever, and no action will follow.
Since the Alliance is already a respected and well-run organisation, I hope to see leadership coming from there. Decisions about things like protest rallies, symbols, actions, etc. must be made—and soon. Yes, we can have grey squares everywhere, we hang the BC flag upsidedown, we can boycott the Olympics, and on, and on. Someone has to step forward and say, “This is what we are doing and this is when we are going to do it,” and then back up this statement with organisation, materials, guidance, planning, whatever is needed. Please, Amir, take over!
Finally (for now) I request that “Culture matters” does not become the slogan of this movement. Here’s where a think tank could devote some energy to devising something more meaningful and energising. Kevin, you know about things like this and, no doubt, people who could help. I would like to see buttons, bumper stickers, lawn signs with a recognisable and meaningful slogan. I’m sorry, but “Culture matters” sounds like something that is growing in a petri dish.
Please let me know anywhere and anytime I can help.
Tom