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Words by Jennie Lee et al, Cloud by WordItOut
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Debate about the value of arts and culture and the importance of creativity in our lives, and for Britain, seems hotter this month than I can ever remember it being. February has seen the publication of the Warwick Commission report on Cultural Value, the launch of BBC's Get Creative campaign with stirring words from Deborah Bull on why creativity matters, a Radio 4 Front Row special on whether artists are owed a living, a report on the relationship between arts engagement and health from Manchester Metropolitan University, and Ed Miliband's Arts for All speech courtesy of the new Creative Industries Federation. A multitude of voices have been championing the vital role of arts in education ever more loudly, with artist Bob & Roberta Smith going all out to make it an election issue in Surrey Heath (and all power to him). Talking of the election, Fin Kennedy is doing his bit with Operation Mobilise and urging us to do ours - and we really should. I pledge that I will, here and now.
It's inspiring, thought-provoking, uplifting, validating stuff - but still, despite the discussion being hard to avoid over the past few weeks, I've had a nagging question. Is there really a public debate going on, or is it one that's just confined to the few (those who work in the arts, teach them passionately in schools, read long reports, follow Twitter conversations, listen to Radio 4...)? Which is why, for me, one thing has stood out above all the noise - the call from Devoted and Disgruntled and Stella Duffy for us all to do something very public and attention-grabbing today - the 50th Anniversary of Jennie Lee's A Policy for the Arts White Paper (the only arts policy White Paper there's been, so I gather). Coincidentally, it's 70 days to the election too.
In Stella's words: "sing, dance, declaim, rant, rave, pout, protest, applaud, evoke, annoy, effect, affect, acknowledge the dreams of fifty years ago. And how much is still to do to make real the possibilities of fifty years ago. The hopes of arts for all, arts funding beyond London, arts in all schools, arts as a human need...Get the country together to demand a government that cares about ALL people having access to ALL arts."
It's a call to really make a noise out there, to make a fuss and make the debate truly public - one engaged with by the many, not just the few - wherever you're working and whoever you're working with. Do it, if not today then one day soon. Let's face it, if those of us teaching in the arts, working in the 'participatory arts' (or whatever label you like to choose) and performing in front of audiences can't get people talking about the value of arts and creativity in their lives, who the heck can?
So here are the tools, generously provided through the efforts of a small bunch of smart-thinking, committed and discontented people. There's a link to a document here - extracts from the original White Paper interspersed with contemporary facts, quotes and views which Devoted and Disgruntled are inviting us to use as a score, script or other basis for doing something - without limitations. Plus links to a Facebook group and googledoc where you can shout about what you've done, and a Twitter hashtag #ArtsPolicy50.
We'll be looking for ways of doing our bit, with thanks to D&D and Stella (and everyone else who's provoking debate and taking action) for the inspiration. How about you?
