Spoken Word Poetry #1 by Greg Frankson

Today begins a tremendously important process
To reform and refocus, redefine and reveal a new course
A new policy for Canada’s cultural evolution
If the sky is blue, then we should not reflect that in our disposition
For there are many causes for rejoicing, and reason to be excited about the future

The CCA with all of you will engage in a rigorous and constructive defense
Of our Canadian arts and culture and their true significance
In the definition of our nation, where territorially we seek
To outline our true ambitions, therefore it’s in this vein that I speak
About the past of modern industry that accelerated the diffusion
Of our cultural commonalities that have fused social inclusion
Into the way we view our mosaic within the broader global village
Which for many years sought to snuff local views when corporations pillaged
The traditional place of government as the economic drivers
Now we’ve transformed the artist from mere producers to commercial survivors
It’s a double-edged sword to peddle digital derivations
Of works that first may have been meant for mere enjoyment, not for sale across the nations
But the power of globalizing forces to force us to all sing the same hymns
Is now facing a powerful counter-current driven by communities within
The localized environment who understand the importance of seeing themselves
Reflected in the expressions of culture no matter the territory into which they delve
Like when McDonald’s switches Ronald to a comic hero from Europe’s shores
Or Spiderman in India comes from Mumbai so that the people from Lahore
And in Delhi and Calcutta identify with the image being portrayed
The corporate interests that once discounted local populations have paid
Strict and close attention to the shifting sands of the trends
So they can continue to maximize shareholder value upon which they all depend

Tweet tweet, twiddle twiddle
There’s only one trendline with a hole in the middle

Because decentralization and deregulation have made the big bigger still
And injected the tiny individual artist with newly essential entrepreneurial skill
If our institutions cannot thrive because they continue to feel the squeeze
Who will tell our stories abroad in the future so our stories don’t dissipate in the breeze?
Support for our endeavours comes from the joys of legislation
The backing of regulation, the strength of programming and the bliss of taxation
The long tail of consumption also creates opportunities for Canadian expressions
And if we take up the challenge we may be able to learn important economic lessons
For individuals and organizations that can learn to exploit all avenues that we can
So that we all can go forward to share our artforms all across our native land

An agenda of change this broadly constructed must attack all sacred cows
So we must delve deeper into the critical issues, go as deep as innovation allows
The institutions must embrace our goals and come to see where we could be
If we question the arts councils, Telefilm, the NFB and CBC
Plus the government departments that we work with every day
If we can question and learn some answers then perhaps we’ll find a better way

Throughout our proceedings we’re forced to acknowledge we’ll learn only what we already know
When we move from old ideas to new and approach them differently from above and below
How do we go forward to benefit artists and how do we stabilize our funds
And when we connect dots how do these building blocks connect us one to one?
So you’ve been challenged at Chalmers and again today to talk amongst yourselves
And find some strategies the government cannot skim through then leave upon the shelves
The executives of Canada believe we must invest in our arts posthaste
So that our cultural productivity and profitability can both keep pace
With the things we keep directly closest to all Canadians coast to coast
So dive deep within it and subsume yourselves in what you truly desire most.

Link