Thoughts on arts funding..
Journal on October 21, 2009;
Most of us would agree that art and culture are important to our identity and way of life in Canada. While we have a long history of “punching above our weight” on the world stage, producing a long list of highly successful artists in numerous disciplines, the reality for most in the arts community is not so glamorous. Many artists barely live above the poverty line. While they live materially sparse lives, their quality of life is enriched through giving back to their communities, teaching others, developing new skills and helping to shape the thought and identity of our country.
When someone makes the choice to pursue a career in the arts, it is often done with the knowledge that the odds of prosperity and financial security are stacked against them. While this type of informed decision may be used by some to justify cutting public funding to arts programs, the reality is that the work of people who are dedicated to the artistic heritage of our country benefits everybody both culturally and financially. Here’s how:
My own experience on the matter is in the music realm, so that’s where I’ll start. Musicians are always the last to get paid. The money that artistic performances generate goes right back into the community. Managers, labels, agents, technicians, printers, promoters, manufacturers and everyone directly involved in the music industry get paid first. Millions more are employed by the arts in almost every sector of the economy. Concert halls, festivals, distribution houses, museums, theaters, pubs, coffee shops and every other type of venue for the arts employ people. When artists travel the country, often by car, they are generating revenue and income everywhere they travel, including the small towns that make up the rural backbones of our economy. It is a pretty safe bet that on any given night, there are dozens of bands spending the night in hotels in small regional hubs such as Thunder Bay, Golden, Brandon or Lethbridge. Even if the locals never go to a show, their economies see the benefit of touring bands. The livelihoods of gas station attendants, hotel employees, bartenders, waiters, mechanics and Value Village employees across this country are directly linked to the health of Canada’s creative economy.
According to the government’s own studies, every dollar spent on arts funding brings back more than a dollar in tax revenue. Investing in arts infrastructure is like investing in forestry - if we put public money in to it, it will stimulate industry and business growth in both public and private sectors - which will employ people and bring tax dollars back in to the system. Forestry investment creates jobs in tree-rich areas, arts investment creates jobs in arts communities.
Unfortunately, I think arts funding is sometimes sold to us as artistic welfare for a small group of self-important elitists - whereas I believe it is a deep foundational affirmation that our society believes that creative thinking is important. Would we rather our kids to watch television all weekend than to take music lessons? Acting classes? Pottery? Dancing? Are we more interested in reality television than we are in reality? Heaven forbid we should raise individuals that add to and affect the world around them, rather than simply be affected by it.
As I mentioned before, Canada has always punched above its weight in terms of the entertainment industry. The amount of worldwide superstars we’ve created (Bryan Adams, Celine Deon, Shania Twain, Nelly Furtado, Jim Carey, Mike Myers), not to mention critically acclaimed artisans that this country has spawned (Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, David Cronenberg, Margaret Atwood, Douglas Coupland) is simply astounding considering Canada’s population size. This is not a coincidence. It is because we have traditionally fostered a society that promotes from within, that gives young minds the fuel, confidence and integrity to investigate whatever creative paths they seek to wander. The other thing to take in to account is that all of these people bring the world’s attention back to Canada. It’s like cultural advertising, influencing tourism and investment our way, pulling in international dollars.
It’s hard to look long term or big picture with any issue, but Canadian heritage and culture are so dear to me and most people I know. Mr. Dressup, Anne Of Green Gables, The Logdriver’s Waltz (any National Film Board cartoon, for that matter), Kids In The Hall, CBC 1/2/3, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Stompin Tom Connors, Farley Mowat, Leonard Cohen, Michael Ondaatje, W.O. Mitchell, Atwood, Coupland - all of these entities and more have shaped us to be a small country with big ideas, internationally respected for our diplomacy, our humour, our art, our resources and our way of life. I would feel so ashamed to lose that heritage of respect.
Sincerely,
Dan Mangan
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dan Mangan, Steven Hodges. Steven Hodges said: RT @danmanganmusic some thoughts on arts funding: http://bit.ly/2FTpTg …Very well put Mr. Mangan. [...]
Hear, hear! I hope you’re forwarding this to your local MP/MLA Dan. Very well written and great points raised.
Hope you recover well from your sickness!
a really great read dude, I knew you were gifted in song writing, but I now realize that you’re more than just a pretty face (and voice).
You essentially summed it all up from the artist perspective, and I would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could justifiably argue anything that you’ve said. It’s a shame that the people in power can’t grasp a culture that doesn’t consist of navy blue business suits and luxury cars.
I’m sure though if a reality TV show was made about artists, we would totally be supported.
Cheers,
- EVIL Patrick
Well put Dan. It’s good to remember that arts funding cuts are not only disrespectful but also shortsighted.
I especially like the comment about Value Village. As a touring musician I have probably poured tens of thousands of dollars into my nation’s thrift stores!
Okay maybe not quite..
Thank you, Dan. Well said. xo
Well said Dan…
If only all of us could reform the arts funding and make Canada even more of a leader in supporting their heritage and culture.
Nicely articulated, Dan. Keep fighting the good fight, singing the brilliant songs.
Brilliant. This letter is, I think, the best piece I’ve read on what the arts mean in Canada, and why we publicly fund them. Thanks for letting us reprint it on Stop BC Arts Cuts!
this is great Dan. we all thank you for this!
“Are we more interested in reality television than we are in reality?” - well put
Extremely well thought out and so very well said Dan. This piece deserves a lot of exposure…it would be a start to see it as a guest editorial in some Canadian newspapers.
From not only one Dan to another, but also one musician to another.
This write-up has summarized how i feel about the new proposed cuts to the funding of our arts.
It’s silly to spend BILLIONS on the olympics and cut funds directly benefiting Canadian musicians. In SO many ways as stated above…
In my opinion, Canada’s reputation IS because the funding of arts, creativity, dreams and goals.
It saddens me to think the funds will be cut short and made harder to reach, just as I am entering the music industry… how encouraging is that?
[...] Thoughts on arts funding.. - taken from danmanganmusic.com/site Journal, October 21, 2009. [...]
[...] Thoughts on arts funding.. - taken from danmanganmusic.com/site Journal, October 21, 2009. [...]
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by danmanganmusic: some thoughts on arts funding: http://bit.ly/2FTpTg...
Well written and compelling arguments. Punching above our weight indeed, and I would include the music that I gravitate to, like our word class symphony orchestras, the National Ballet, Canadian Opera and other such groups, jazz artists such as the immortal Oscar Peterson and the current Diana Krall and Sophie Millman, and on and on. I’ll pass this article on to some folks I know who will appreciate it. I hope you send it to places like the Globe and Mail to get its deserved circulation.
Way to continue to affect and not just be affected. Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a local art show or who’s been sad when that cool little joint around the corner with live music closed will be inspired to do so as well.
Well said!
Our balanced-budget-at-all-costs preaching governments must believe that the arts are actually detrimental to society because it is true that every public dollar investing in the arts brings back 1.3 dollars in directly related tax revenue. If they didn’t care about the arts they would see it as a sound financial move to increase funding above the inflation rate to gather up tax revenue from all that related industry. Keep spreading the word, the best way to make Joe Canadian care about arts cuts is for them to hear from artists they respect and enjoy saying things like this.
Well put. Have had many of the same thoughts of late. To the point!
“For he goes birling down a-down the white water
That’s where the log driver learns to step lightly
It’s birling down, a-down white water
A log driver’s waltz pleases girls completely.”
I am astonished with the cuts to not only the arts programs which you have so clearly stated but also many child care and youth sports programs have lost a lot of funding lately. It makes me wonder how we are going to pay for the costs down the road when many kids have not had the chance to participate in arts or sports programs. I cringe at the thought of how many kids are being left with inadaquet support in child-care in this province and country.
Dan it is reasons such as this that keep me interested in my studies as I hope one day I can enter politics with the ability to improve how funding is spent. Unfortunately both the provincial and federal governments are cutting it with an axe to improve the year end bottom line for the budget.
I wish I had an answer…but all I can do right now is prepare myself for another day.
[...] First, his own comments on British Columbia and Canada’s cuts to arts funding. [...]