Re: Bill Greenwood’s article, Why should tax dollars support the arts?, appearing Jan. 28.
Really, Bill, I think you just wrote this to create attention, controversy or to get yelled at, or all of the above.
Maybe you can relate to this. All the arts are comparable to music and would you choose a world without music? I think not.
Why do you find it necessary to put a dollar value on every faction of society? Can you not just be happy the arts are there for your education and enjoyment?
Since evolving from drawing on cave walls and performing at the water’s edge, now, due to our complex social structure, we require buildings and the like in order to bring some pleasantry to the minute few who can not only relate to the arts, but actually would not miss a performance or presentation.
Yes, the arts are not lucrative due to lack of support and ‘not interested’ attitudes. Certainly you have the choice not to buy and artists being consumers have the same option.
You seem proud of your trade as a machinist, well it too is comparable to a well-performed symphony. It is an art form.
Take a step out of the box and make something different for a change.
And where did you learn your trade? SAIT and NAIT were both built with, or the help of, public funds.
You compare failing artists to losers of the Stanley Cup — well all hockey players happen to have learned their sport in public-funded facilities, also the Olympians, figure skaters and the list goes on.
The point I am making is that it doesn’t matter whether the funds are called a “grant” or something else. It all comes from the same basket. Have you ever attended live theatre or an art exhibition? Try hanging some new art on your walls. You may be surprised at the euphoric enlightenment it gives you.
At one point, I can see you are actually scared spitless that one of your offspring are going to become involved the arts. No, don’t teach your kids to appreciate the arts — it may expand their knowledge and they could very well enjoy the afternoon.
Winston Churchill, when asked why he was still spending money on the arts, replied, “Why do you think we are still fighting?”
There I have wasted my time and I could have been painting.
Ruth Moore
Innisfail