  
A terrific post and discussion thread on praxistheatre.blogspot (via simpleposie) about the magical $25 Million the conservatives pulled out of their asses to give to two Toronto business men (founders of the Luminato festival) in order to create the Canada Prizes for the Arts and Creativity.
One of the best quotes in the thread is from commenter michael:
"The money won't be used to develop anything: it's a tool to give Luminato - and by association Canada - more cred. They'll be able to attract talent, and "a better class" of talent at that, which they think will inspire us all. They won't be giving money to some unknown artist who is brilliant and needs exposure to become the "next Yoyo Ma", they'll give it to someone who is already well on the way, and who will make Canada look benevolent by taking our prize and a paid gig. It's managed culture, and it's a pretty pathetic way to suggest that "this is how it's done" by offering the money to non-Canadians.
You want to reach out to the international arts community? First of all, put back the funding that lets artists go abroad when they are invited to do so. Second: ensure that any artist who wants to make art in Canada can do so without being burdened with the bizarre notion of obligation that we have to deal with (bizarre, because we have still failed to define what "Canadian" means, and we probably never will - I haven't got a clue how to be a Canadian artist except to not trust my own instincts). That's it - it's that simple, but it scares the pants off of any politician because it means giving up control of, and being unable to take credit for (or defend yourself from) what the artist's work says."
And please let's not say that this means the private sector is 'stepping up to support the arts in light of Government cuts'. That's absolute drivel.
(that's for j@simpleposie for spending so much time and energy tracking the news on the funding cuts)
Give us 25 mil for this blog, we'll fucking inspire you.
"I haven't got a clue how to be a Canadian artist except to not trust my own instincts" OMG LOL. That's brilliant.
Great post L.M. I couldn't agree more. I find the concept of this prize really insulting. Why would an economist decide that import was better than export? Only if he thought the local product was sub-standard.
I have a compromise. Give the prize money to Canadian artists who are living abroad. Like in the States. like ... me. Now. I have to pay the electric bill.
Canada should suck up to you joester. Canada should be, like, super insecure and nervous around you, they should offer you bags of money as a plea for your love.
Please please have some of our fine cookies, our local culinary artisans shaped them
like cute little leaves (that's our national symbol) (my you're tall).
This is an awesome post and I do think J@simpleposie should at least split the $25 mil with ya'll
We're hoping she'll be satisfied with the pretty rose gif.
that rose is practically dynamic! heh heh
Check out the newest links on the recent simpleposie posts. This has turned into an even bigger political turd for the conservatives.
|
A terrific post and discussion thread on praxistheatre.blogspot (via simpleposie) about the magical $25 Million the conservatives pulled out of their asses to give to two Toronto business men (founders of the Luminato festival) in order to create the Canada Prizes for the Arts and Creativity.
One of the best quotes in the thread is from commenter michael: And please let's not say that this means the private sector is 'stepping up to support the arts in light of Government cuts'. That's absolute drivel.
(that's for j@simpleposie for spending so much time and energy tracking the news on the funding cuts)
Give us 25 mil for this blog, we'll fucking inspire you.
- L.M. 2-20-2009 7:16 am
"I haven't got a clue how to be a Canadian artist except to not trust my own instincts" OMG LOL. That's brilliant.
Great post L.M. I couldn't agree more. I find the concept of this prize really insulting. Why would an economist decide that import was better than export? Only if he thought the local product was sub-standard.
- sally mckay 2-20-2009 2:41 pm
I have a compromise. Give the prize money to Canadian artists who are living abroad. Like in the States. like ... me. Now. I have to pay the electric bill.
- joester (guest) 2-20-2009 7:22 pm
Canada should suck up to you joester. Canada should be, like, super insecure and nervous around you, they should offer you bags of money as a plea for your love.
- L.M. 2-20-2009 8:37 pm
Please please have some of our fine cookies, our local culinary artisans shaped them
like cute little leaves (that's our national symbol) (my you're tall).
- sally mckay 2-20-2009 9:59 pm
This is an awesome post and I do think J@simpleposie should at least split the $25 mil with ya'll
- Leah Sandals (guest) 2-21-2009 3:05 pm
We're hoping she'll be satisfied with the pretty rose gif.
- L.M. 2-21-2009 7:25 pm
that rose is practically dynamic! heh heh
- J@simpleposie (guest) 2-22-2009 12:03 am
Check out the newest links on the recent simpleposie posts. This has turned into an even bigger political turd for the conservatives.
- L.M. 2-24-2009 5:59 pm