On 1/27/11 5:35 AM, Karl Shah-Jenner wrote:
I must say that's one amazing piece of creative bookwork, a real
stretch to suggest all the tax dollars coming in from anyone who
considers themselves an artist as being a return on the dollars
injected into the industry!
I'm sure there MUST be more valid or at least convincing ways to
measure and state the contribution of the arts. that seems entirely
whacked to me!
Karl,
Indeed, there is no control for these stats. Although, it does make the
statement that the return is to local, state, and federal bodies of govt
from related programs.
There's sound arguments both for and against funding the arts..
chronic wastage is indefensible - and sadly demonstrable in many cases
(like the link I provided in my last post, from a largely socialist
society). I'm not however too fussed how much measurable success in
an economic sense our Australian tax dollars were spent in funding the
arts, however I very much feel it WOULD be nice if those involved in
the distribution of funding were a little less political themselves!!
I couldn't agree with the argument more. As much as I don't want to see
the proverbial baby (cultural potential) thrown out with the bathwater
(budget), it is the other side of the coin to be politically selective.
So, before I add another metaphor (I'm not writing a grant here), let me
just say I would like to see such decisions made on the principle of
supporting and promoting free expression, as a it has been written as a
human right by Liberal ideology, yet seldom practiced since it was flown
as a flag of The Enlightenment.
Sorry, Yoram. I overestimated your use of the delete button.
