Scratching the Itch of Cultural Policy
There was a startling disconnect in a room full of creative minds. Though we would like to say that we're all here addressing the same issues with the same interests at heart, we're not. We are driven by our own agendas, and though our individual interests are all very important to the whole, it has proven difficult to pool them into a manageable community of ideas. I felt today that we had created an environment of mild discomfort, like a back ache after shovelling snow.
"Take a moment and talk to each other about what this silence is all about," said Dave Hasbury to a roomful of unsure delegates. And he was right, we needed to talk. But more importantly we needed to listen. We needed to connect and collaborate, discuss concrete and realistic plans for the future of cultural policy in Canada. We needed to start chasing a common goal.
When Pat Bradley said, "We're tired, we're cynical and some of us are old," I laughed. I really did. Because sometimes I feel that way too. I'm young, but I am sometimes tired and cynical. Tired of talking about "youth issues" and cynical because nothing ever changes. But it does! When we put our young, feisty heads together we get chatty and excited. And when we get on the same wave length, we come up with really, really good ideas.
And that's what started to happen at the end of the conference today. Some solid ideas started to form around tax credits for extracurricular arts education, funding for the Canada Council and the need to bridge the gaps between the arts and communities, different federal and provincial sectors but mostly importantly between artists themselves.
I think the conference delegates were really on to something by the end of the day today. Although I started off this afternoon a little antsy and uncomfortable, I left feeling assured that something great was on its way.
"Take a moment and talk to each other about what this silence is all about," said Dave Hasbury to a roomful of unsure delegates. And he was right, we needed to talk. But more importantly we needed to listen. We needed to connect and collaborate, discuss concrete and realistic plans for the future of cultural policy in Canada. We needed to start chasing a common goal.
When Pat Bradley said, "We're tired, we're cynical and some of us are old," I laughed. I really did. Because sometimes I feel that way too. I'm young, but I am sometimes tired and cynical. Tired of talking about "youth issues" and cynical because nothing ever changes. But it does! When we put our young, feisty heads together we get chatty and excited. And when we get on the same wave length, we come up with really, really good ideas.
And that's what started to happen at the end of the conference today. Some solid ideas started to form around tax credits for extracurricular arts education, funding for the Canada Council and the need to bridge the gaps between the arts and communities, different federal and provincial sectors but mostly importantly between artists themselves.
I think the conference delegates were really on to something by the end of the day today. Although I started off this afternoon a little antsy and uncomfortable, I left feeling assured that something great was on its way.
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