DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
If what you’re doing isn’t working, do something different. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
Sound advice which the arts community does not seem to be heeding.
Yesterday, I asked a random dozen or so people if they knew who Jane Danzo was. No one had heard of her. So much for the dramatic resignation!
Then David Diamond (Headlines Theatre) spoke, on the CBC’s Early Edition, in definitive terms. That is, he did not appeal, in polite terms, to government generosity.
Now, I fear that will be the end of it.
David also said that his colleagues in the arts community had advised him not to speak out.
What are we afraid of?
A number of years ago, I proposed the formation of a provincial union of artists and arts groups to create a powerful lobby and an articulate and passionate public voice. The response was, “Oh, that sounds too much like biting the hand that feeds us.” You can see where the.cautious and humble approach has gotten us.
What are you doing that is different?
Unless we were to have an enlightened government that would take a leadership role in the arts, we will see the continued erosion of support for the arts. And I believe it’s safe to say that private and corporation philanthropy will take its cues from government. Change can only happen when the arts become an election issue. That means taking risks. That means engaging the public—all those people who never heard of Jane Danzo, or David Diamond, for that matter.
So far, there have been mild protests, extensive letter and postcard campaigns addressed to government, and two people who have spoken out. No wonder arts advocates are looked at as a “special interest group.” We’re preaching to the converted and to the unconvertible.
What are you going to do to make a difference?
Thanks Tom and John for your postings and thoughts. I would be curious to know who advised David not to speak out and their reason. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a right and a freedom. If we sit silently while our government behaves in an acceptable way, what will we let them get away with?
I’m trying to do my part by enlightening my circle of family, friends and colleagues about the issue. It’s been interesting…there is general knowledge that the arts (like many other sectors) were cut but people don’t know just how much (again compared to other sectors) and the impact that will be felt.
I’ll keep up my personal campaign. I’d love to know what others are doing (differently).
Sheryl
PS: Still haven’t heard from other members of the BC Arts Council. I hope we do soon!
Years ago, in the mid 80s, an attempt was made to bring together the over 400 groups related to the arts in Calgary, 83 showed up and they, too, were afraid to speak out about the government cuts here in Alberta at the time.
Artists seemed to think that stepping over thousand dollar bills to pick up nickels was their lot, and that riling politicians was not their job – in fact – the society act here in Alberta strictly forbids advocacy – but what each and every artist seems to forget is that they are citizens and have rights and responsibilities to themselves, their colleagues and their society – and that they are, indeed, part and parcel of that society.
However, within 2 weeks of establishing the Calgary Council for all Arts Associations (CCAA), the PC caucus wanted a meeting with us. The artists were so scared, saying they weren’t ready to deal with caucus – they’d been bitching for years – but they weren’t ready and they wanted to back out of the meeting – when the Premier’s Office was called to ask if the meeting could be postponed, the Premier’s Secretary said in very plain English, “Get them here – you will never get another chance.”
We did have the meeting with caucus, and that very day, the Premier changed the Minister of Culture to re-establish his control over that Ministry which, in his mind, had becoming to sympathetic to the arts. They asked what we wanted. “More money?” “No,” we said, “Just more input into how it is spent.” They were totally non-plused and insisted that we all submit financial statements – all of which were already at they access through the granting agencies. They just kept stalling. (As a side note: the leadership was pressured by the artists to resign from the group because it was considered too outspoken, and the group folded within 2 months and then caucus had nothing further to consider.)
The next year, funds were cancelled for all performances in schools, funds were given over to the Ministry of Education to be matched by that ministry (which they never were), fine arts specialists and teachers (400 in Calgary and 600 in Edmonton were fired on April 1st of that year – and – as an aside – this year on the same date, the government cut all spending to municipal theatres).
The transfered funds were used to finally set up the residency-teaching program for artists-in-the-schools because the government discovered that students did not do well without the arts – but rather than given them both experiences of performances and workshop opportunities – artists were now expected to fill in where some of the specialists had left off. (Another side note: the day this program went into effect, the woman responsible for its founding and implementation resigned and did not leave a forwarding address.)
A couple of years ago, the government here did restore funding to the arts to the level of the 80s – without any recognition of inflation, increases in expenses, etc.
And still the artists remain silent – grateful for the what they do receive. When will artists take their citizenship role in society seriously and become what they are – the very heart of the society?
A friend once said that a country is the manifestation of how it started. Canada started as a business – the Hudson-Bay Company. Employees were supposed to behave and do what they were told. The United States started as a revolution, and it is still revolting (no pun intended).
If Canadian artists see themselves as ‘employees’ of the state without a voice or feel that they shouldn’t speak out against the ‘employer’, the government – then we get exactly what we deserve – no funding, no representation, no nothing.
What if we were all to withdraw our services from the public for a day, a week, a month – en mass at the same time – perhaps – then the society would consciously realize the impact we all have on the daily life of our world.
But – getting the artists of all stripes, shapes, kinds and sizes to do that? That is what takes a miracle – it takes courage to be out loud, up front and doing the right thing- whether we are the CBC or a sunday-painter.
Making the arts an election issue is certainly a good idea. Making the arts central to daily life by making everyone aware of the consequences of having no arts might just make such an issue possible.
Sheryl: I have spent a lot of my life being quiet and polite but it seems to me that we all have to be a little more vocal with all this. Working one by one with our friends on the issues is so good to do (and it’s a daunting task).
If a business in BC were told its revenue must be reduced by 50%, would they sit quietly? When a labour union wants to protest something as small as only getting a 2% raise (let alone a 50% cut) would they sit quietly by? We know the answer. They would all disrupt the lives of many people and be a thorn in the Government’s side.
What do we do? Stay quiet, polite and nice. Result = NOTHING.
I think some people who can stomach it, need to become members of political parties and work within and those who can’t need to just trying to move the needle slightly by talking to friends and family.
In other words, we’re doomed.
In the longer term, we need to build the case for public support of the arts in terms that more people can understand. That’s a slow process and one that takes years. An example may be something like putting more money into arts education knowing that in 15 years you can remove money from policing because we will have better adjusted citizens. (In other words, we’re doomed.)
Walter: Wow, what a post.
I think the day of ever seeing artists of all stripes united in impossible, but it if it did happen… who knows what change could come? However, it would truly have to be large and long to work. These one-day little media events that have been tried are pointless in my opinion.
I loved what you said about artists being “citizens” as well and that we do have a right to speak and be heard. Our problem is that very few people really care.
Your experience in Alberta of people not speaking out is very telling and I hope people in BC listen to this and don’t shy away. What is there to lose?
Yes, cautious, humble and polite; those of us who have not made the uncharacteristic change to stop being so (guilty), need to.
Sheryl, Walter, John, Catherine, thanks for your posts and responses. Walter, yours was truly illuminating. I’m not surprised to see that governments are actually afraid of the arts. Artists and people involved in the arts as audiences, listeners, readers, etc. tend to be thoughtful, articulate, and, yes, critical. In other words, not so likely to do what they’re told. On the other hand, it doesn’t look like governments need to be afraid of the artists themselves; they seem to take it lying down and without protest.
I had a look at the BC Arts Council’s website /cF8GLm to see what they might be doing about Ms. Danzo’s resignation. Well, not a word about that, but an announcement that Dr. Stanley Hamilton had been appointed as Interim Chair. Now, just below that announcement is an August 3rd message from the Chair (Ms. Danzo), I quote the concluding paragraph:
“We are also pleased with the positive news regarding the 2010 Sports and Arts Legacy Fund. As you heard in an email from the Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, the Province is providing additional funds for Council operating clients. As well, the Minister announced the new Spirit Festival program, which not only celebrates arts and culture in the province, but will provide professional artists with direct opportunities. I am pleased to report that the BC Arts Council will be working with the Assembly of BC Arts Councils to deliver this program.”
In short, ain’t the government wonderfully generous! And shouldn’t we be ever-so-grateful for the crumbs they throw our way.
My appeal to both the Assembly and the BC Arts Council is to stand up on your hind legs and tell the government to take their Spirit Festival and stuff it.
The Spirit Festival is a blatantly political program, getting artists to deliver the government’s message for them. We should simply refuse to have anything to do with it.
Hey, one thing you can do when under attack is to fight back!
Tom
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” ~ Aristotle
I recall, many years ago, at a “West Coast” Federal Government Cabinet meeting that I attended, (this was in the 1980’s), the topic of the day was the imminent doom of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
All of the “typical” players, (Canada Council Music Section Head; Corporate Sponsor; Foundation funders; Provincial and City government representatives and the incoming/outgoing Presidents of the Board of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra), were at the table.
Of note were the following comments, (as I recall):
“The grave is dug, just roll them into it”….
And – on a cheerier note: “Let’s have a party! Seagram’s can bring the champagne!”…
Was this tongue in cheek, absolutely NOT!
The result: The VSO did indeed pull itself up by its bootstraps and most visibly and vocally put their house in order.
There was a plan. (Indeed there were many plans; I wrote one of them).
Arts Advocacy is about planning, strategizing and collectively acting together; strategizing means, minimally, an open dialogue and communicating directly with stakeholders and constituents.
I believe the stakeholders are the general public and our current/future audiences.
But: the troops, (our stakeholders), need to have a plan; be rallied; be forearmed – this starts, I believe, with maximizing 100% capacity at all the events, performances, exhibitions, readings etc that the BC Arts Community has to offer.
So far there no leadership is coming from the BCAC….(I doubt that there will be, there is no “autonomous” mandate).
In my blog post – I offer one potential model.
It is time to speak up with passion, dignity, honor and U N I T Y!
Sure wld be nice if the remaining BC Arts Council directors wld issue a statement in solidarity with Jane Danzo. Force the govt’s hand instead of fawning.
The Spirit Festival sounds to me exactly like a carry-over from the Olympics when “Spirit Committees” throughout BC received tiny sums to organize events prior to the games. The intent to boost the games while mollifying those of us in the boonies who could see the vast volumes of cash and infrastructure pouring into the Lower Mainland/Whistler area while our own services continue being cut.
Living in Wells, far from the Lower Mainland and Victoria, it’s hard to tell if I’m imagining this or not, but it does appear as if the larger arts community has been sleep walking for the past year. After the initial couple of demos and letter writing, most of what I’ve observed from up here has been chatter, not an escalation of actions.
It’s challenging putting economic pressure on the govt when for the most part, we don’t have bosses, so it’s hard to go on strike! But surely there are a myriad of creative actions that our community could take to be more of a [non-violent] nuisance.
Gandhi’s Salt March was an inspiring & challenging example not just of non-violent direct action, but also a campaign that concretely focussed on one element of colonialism, i.e. British control of the salt trade.
So I often wonder, what is our “salt” in BC? What is a place or commodity or activity that embodies the paternalism of our system and the continuing sellout of our interests to international corporations?
Is our “salt” the fibre (i.e. trees) standing, dying or burning in the TFLs (tree farm licenses) on crown land? Is it the farmed salmon? The line formerly known as BC Rail (& PGE before)? Gas wells in the Peace? Whistler? The Lotto BC head office in Richmond? Where could we carry out actions to have some real impact, instead of token, scripted, expected and soon-forgotten charades on the Legislature lawn?
Where would be an appropriate location for, say, a group of cellists or brass players or a choral group to stage a playathon or singathon until they are dragged away? Or should I say, locations (plural)?
Just to clarify, I would never suggest openly attacking or criticizing the BCAC Board. Divisiveness like this would just play into the govt’s hands. I just hope we can support, challenge and encourage them to take leadership that might dovetail with grassroots efforts.
Not sure if you have seen this brilliant guerilla campaign by our colleagues in Toronto, but it’s powerful and poetic. On Sunday afternoon (August 22), 6 teams of volunteers replaced advertisements in forty-one advertising pillars,and twenty 10′ x 20′ billboards, that were identified as illegal. (These “illegal” billboards were put up without permission from the city and are not contributing to the billboard tax which supports community, art and other city programs). In this action, these activisits have shamed the city for their lax bylaw enforcement, hurt the reputation of Pattison Outdoor and spread some great art around. This is the type of messaging, I’d love to see in Vancouver. For further information and visuals: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/851126–guerilla-action-aims-to-turn-advertising-space-into-public-space?bn=1
http://torontoist.com/2010/08/artists_and_activists_perform_large-scale_guerrilla_street_advertising_hack.php?gallery0Pic=7#gallery
I agree, Tom. We’ve got to do something different because we don’t seem to be connecting with the general public. Let’s stop digging for a second.
I’ve been following the discussion on the CBC website about the Board of the Canadian Conference of the Arts writing a letter to Minister Krueger criticizing the short-sightedness of the BC Liberals hatchet job on the arts. To my astonishment, most of the commentary sides with the Liberals! Now, either the CBC audience has shifted suddenly to the right or backroom Liberal strategists are filling forums with their own opinions as members of the general public. Nothing new here. Such tactics have been used for decades – hotline shows and Letters to the Editor being the predecessors.
The point is, the Other Side always gets its opinions heard while artists sit meekly on the sidelines like children hoping the adults will work it out so we can get on with our business of exploring the unknown. We’ve got to change our way of thinking and working; we need to find new ways of articulating our value as artists and why what we do should matter to others. It’s clear that mild protests, postcard campaigns and grey squares don’t work.
Most artists have a fundamental insecurity about their worth and their own place in society and this is what stops them from coming forward and speaking their truth publicly. We’re afraid that the Other Side might be right because our insecurity is founded on the very premise of why we make art in the first place: that we don’t know all the answers! And sometimes, we don’t even know the question! I know this to be a fundamental truth about artists and that very few have escaped these feelings of insecurity and fraud – even the best artists have spoken or written of their feelings of inadequacy before the presentation of a major new work. Usually, their fears are unfounded but the damage has already been done.
Commitment to fight for our survival is all that we need. And perhaps the confidence that comes with the commitment will take over and lead artists to new places of self understanding and the pitiful campaigns will disappear and in their place you’ll hear the voice of confidence: that the fight must be won whatever the cost. That’s the commitment we need from everyone, And if you can’t commit, then step aside – perhaps – and find a new line of work. Art requires passion, commitment and commitment again and again. It’s a never ending requirement.
And until that happens, we’ll stay the same. We must do something different. We must change our way of thinking. What has happened since our frantic meeting at the Vancouver Museum one year ago? Very little, except for the fact that the government did what they said they were going to do. And we’re seeing cuts in the range of 75% for many organizations. There’s nothing left to lose.
[...] out some discussion on what we could do differently at Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Clear-cutting the artsBefore the Summer [...]
I’m not doing anything. Well, my annual charitable contribution, matched by TELUS, goes to the BC Touring Council for the Performing Arts to allow new community presenters to attend the annual Pacific Contact conference, but I guess that probably doesn’t count so much under the advocacy umbrella. Or maybe it does, I don’t know.
For me, the “arts” is analogous to R&D (research and development) in terms of where it fits into society. Yes, I suppose it could handled purely as a commercial venture with each individual optimizing their own profit and loss, but I think there are longer-term benefits that don’t fit into an annual budget cycle. As with specialized areas such as astronomy, biology, medicine or areas of common benefit such as bridges and ferries, investments are made for their broader value.
For the cases where public money is “thrown away” on works of dubious value from an artistic perspective (like trips to Mars…?) progress is made in general terms. You never know where excellence is going to come from, but you invest in the R&D knowing that indeed it will.
Perhaps the most important benefit for the arts is its role in developing a well-rounded citizen. Through the ages this has been known. Don’t we use the term “Renaissance man” as one of the most flattering terms for a person? Isn’t the idea of a full regime of academic excellence well known to the English class system? Why shouldn’t it be available to all in a place like BC? It includes the arts certainly.
Finally, back to money and budgeting. Yes, there is just one pie that has many slices, each one an expense item from health to debt interest. Assuming that society wishes to invest in artistic R&D as one sliver of the pie, it doesn’t help anyone to make drastic swings in funding, either up or down. The first can lead to waste and the second can destroy hard work built up over years. It takes time to adjust and at least a few years is needed to provide the balance to smooth out the jagged edges.
Should I do more advocacy? Yep, reckon so. Maybe I will see if I can find a way to join a group from business that tries to help the arts, either with direct funding to counterbalance government, or perhaps better with administrative support in areas such as planning and human resources. Or join a board? I’d be curious to know what would be welcomed and what would be shunned.
David,
You post was moving, passionate, and exciting. You’re absolutely right in that we have nothing to lose. I’m remembering the impressionists in 19th century Paris who were denied access to the official government support Salon; they simply started on of their own. Why? Because they believed in what they were doing–radical as it was. History has proved them to be absolutely right.
Tom
@David MacIntyre:
I started posting on the CBC news items when I got fed up seeing Dennis Brown and dominate the discussion, regurgitate the same rigid extremist arguments, and even – in Dennis Brown’s case – cut and paste text from his website into the Comments as if they were fresh copy.
For a little while I started getting suspicious that he and were submitting multiple Disagree ratings to me and to Julie McIntyre and others; easy enough to do, I suppose, with multiple User Profiles and computer stations at home. I was seeing the Disagree (with my posts) counts go up and up without corresponding counter posts or arguments. Hmm.
So, take the discussion and user ratings with a very big grain of salt! And don’t hestitate to wade into the debate, even if you have to hold your nose and bite yr tongue at the same time, as I do!
@Julie McIntyre:
Lovely guerilla ad campaign images in those links, thanks! And I like how the group designed their “TOSAT” wordmark logo to mirror Pattison’s typography and design.
I bet some alt imagery wld look nice in those transom ad slots on BC Transit
I have wallowed, struggled and immersed myself in this battle for so long. I have swung from action to inactivity and back.
I can remember when the Education ministry of the 80s took arts specialists (drama and art particularly) out of elementary schools. The results are the decision-makers of the present. This year, the Vancouver School Board suggested taking out music from elementary schools. How many studies have proven that the brain and indeed the whole person learns and develops more quickly with music than anything else? What decisions will that music-deprived person make in 30 years? But there was a hue and cry – and the decision was reversed. For now.
And I do know that others hold artists in very high regard. When I was a working artist, I felt supported by many in my community. They were just not willing or (often as not) able to provide the resources that would make a living wage. Now I’m a worker bee and I struggle to make ends meet – and I am fully aware that I make much more than most artists.
We can get support by informing people of the issues and the real statistics. Of how much of each tax dollar goes to the arts, of how the gambling money was originally portioned to arts and community groups, of how each dollar given produces so many more in other parts of the economy.
I am very happy to see this site and others up and running. Education is key in all things. There is no need to accept ignorance. I will certainly do my part.
Julie, thanks for your incisive comment, and welcome to AABC. Years ago when I worked with Opera-in-the-Schools, there was a music co-ordinator in every district who made sure that our program got to all the schools. That was then. If schools cannot pass on the importance of art as a central component of our culture, what good are they anyway? As you pointed out, much of the current thinking that we are seeing in government is the result of cutting of arts and cultural programs from schools. Keep up the good fight!
Tom
Sorry, I didn’t actually answer the question. What I have been doing since organizing the “What 40% cuts looks like” postcard campaign, attending endless meetings, writing comments and letters to the editor, while keeping CARFAC BC membership informed, is drafting a proposal for a one-day visual Art Festival in the Spring (May or June) tentatively titled “Inside the Artist’s Studio – An interactive hands-on approach” This is probably too premature to announce, but just between us, we have Roundhouse already willing to partner and hopefully the City of Vancouver will throw in some money. The intention of the community event is to celebrate our provincial visual artists in an engaging way that gives the public a richer understanding of the ideas and skills behind the work. This is an update of the VAG’s former “supersunday” model (intergenerational, culturally respectful, richly layered) varied event and we are lucky to have the originator, Susan Hoppenfeld agree to consult and provide a PD information session for the artists. We are hoping to bring in approx. 10 – 20 contemporary BC artists who will display their art behind them, while front and centre encourage hands-on exploration of their processes and/or ideas with the community. The activities could be anything from life drawing using a ribbon aerialist as model, to printmaking by rolling tricycles into paint, than riding them over long sheets of paper. Well maybe not that out there, but don’t limit your imaginings to a bunch of people gathered around easels drawing a still life scene. The multitude of activities are meant to be inventive, intelligent and fun. We hope to go big, get messy and take risks.
There is professional development, promotional and financial component for our artists and volunteers and a chance to raise the profile and membership base of CARFAC BC, but it is especially designed to develop a deeper understanding about our work and value to the public.
Between doing my own artwork and volunteer duties as President of CARFAC BC, I’m also looking for another paid job, so if any one knows people at the 3 Vancouver Civic Theatres, could you recommend me as an usher/bartender? My first interview is Friday evening and yes, I have about 25 years experience in the service industry – exactly the same amount of time as an artist. Coincidence? We know NOT!