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#1
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Posted by: NWN
3/7/2007 9:13
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General Discussion
Posted by: NWN
NWN wanted to create a dedicated forum space in response to members concerns over the potential cuts to arts funding. Please use this forum to add your questions and concerns. Questions and comments that arose from members so far include:
>> “Shouldn't arts and culture be valued as part of "national identity"?” - Theron Schmidt
>> “Personally, I think this issue is huge. For some time now, I've been looking rather enviously at the arts scene in other European countries. This news makes me think rather more seriously about my options. If public funding disappears in this way, artists are going to start leaving the country and this will have a dramatic effect on the cultural scene in this country...” - Rajni Shah
>> “As artists there are many, many other avenues and strategies that can be utilised and I would be interested to hear of your thoughts on this, possible coalitions, possibilities for lobbying and actions.” - Kira O’Reilly
>> “It seems to me that key is to try to get everyday folk on board this protest train; artists aren't exactly a majority, and your average joe probably hasn't even heard of GFA, let alone be bothered that its been cut for the wonder of the Olympics.” - Tim Jeeves
New Work Network
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#2
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Posted by: ChrisDugrenier
7/8/2007 12:59
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Re: General Discussion
Posted by: ChrisDugrenier
The situation is dramatic.
However, i would like to ask the artists who have experienced an era of limited funding sources from the governement how could they sustain their practices?
Thank you,
Chris.
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#3
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Posted by: timmyfatlips
11/8/2007 17:18
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Re: General Discussion
Posted by: timmyfatlips
Being a bit of a youngster Chris, I'm not able to talk from experience, but I guess it's self-funding and sponsorship that's the obvious sources. Which is obviously a bit bleak.
The government has made sounds that they're going to be encouraging philanthropy as well, so perhaps now's the time to start getting friendly with rich people.
Trying to find the silver lining to this rather miserable cloud I did hear an argument someone was making at the OMSK book launch the other week that in places where work is very well funded it is generally bland in its production. They weren't able to give any statistics to back this up, but I could sort of see their point.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and if we all lived in penthouses with swimming pools, we'd probably be too busy sipping cocktails and taking jacuzzis with beautiful people to make innovative work.
Or perhaps not. Anyway, I thought it was a thought-provoking point if nothing else.
But even if it is true, I don't think we want to look on funding cuts as a good thing. I think most of us are a little way away from leading the moneyed lifestyle that would give us furs and little dogs with jewel studded collars.
So yes, let's keep campaigning for the funds not to be reduced any more.
Something that I am a little concerned about is how we can keep the momentum of this campaign going.
There was such uproar when the cuts were first announced, and rightly so, which was great, but that could never be maintained indefinitely.
It feels like we're now moving into phase 2 of the campaign, and if anything, now is even more crucial to be registering our voices - the comprehensive spending review is coming up and it is crucial no more money is taken from ACE.
But beyond signing the Downing Street petition, writing to our MP and attending the Grunts for the Arts Sports Day, what can we be doing?
Any thoughts from anyone?
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#4
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Posted by: Hannah_Crosson
13/8/2007 14:11
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Re: General Discussion
Posted by: Hannah_Crosson
Hi Timmyfatlips and all
What else can we do?
I think it would be great if, in the spirit of Artists Sports Day (organised by Grunts for the Arts) there was an artists 'fun run' (have runs EVER been about fun? - although that's another question altogether!). It would be great if it went across Westminster Bridge and down Whitehall (like a mini mini London marathon, but one in protest to running, oh the irony…).
Does anyone know about how you organise protests? I guess you have to inform the police, but is there a waiting list? Do you have to plan it a year in advance (to get through all the red tape)? What about fun runs? And how close to 10 Downing Street can you get in these matters??
Who out there has the knowledge?
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#5
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Posted by: timmyfatlips
14/8/2007 12:17
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Re: General Discussion
Posted by: timmyfatlips
I believe it's a case of handing a form into Charing Cross police station, at least 6 days beforehand if it's a protest involving more than one person (or 1 day if it's a lone person acting up).
And I like the sound of a fun run, but think it might be worth clarifying the objective of why we're doing stuff like that.
If it's to raise publicity of the issue, which I guess it probably is, couldn't we perhaps do something a bit quirkier?
I'm thinking something along the lines of the Space Hijackers cricket match on the Parliament Square roundabout in which they challenged every MP to a game.
Anyone got any pugil sticks? I'd love to see a tournament take place there.
Or how about a triathlon - with fun run, pugil sticks and hide and seek being the events?
Any other thoughts?
t
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#6
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Posted by: Kirstie
19/8/2007 17:37
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Re: General Discussion
Posted by: Kirstie
sounds a good idea.
there seems to be two things mentioned:
*with the spending review pending what can be done to prevent further cuts?
*how can we look to raise other sources of funding?
a few things I have been thinking about to maybe look to address these are:
*ensuring we work together as a sector, with ACE as an integral part, rather than an us and them situation
*looking to provide ACE with the right tools to enable their discussions with DCMS
*looking at other models of operating and being. Maybe Missions, Models, Money www.missionmodelsmoney.org.uk might have some
suggestions
K
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