...Aamnah Ahmad | CD-711/2012 Art Politics | Ayesha Omar Karachi is a melting pot of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, lifestyles and cultures. The incredible variety that one can find in this city is what makes it the most dynamic and interesting, which is exactly the kind of basis that is required for introducing and producing art of all kinds. By making arts and cultural activities an integral part of the fabric of the city, we will not only be able to help this diversity to grow and thrive creatively, but it will also play an instrumental role in strengthening community bonds by involving people and facilitating interactions and collaborations that will allow new and innovative ideas and experiments to develop. Involving the people in various cultural activities and art projects is a noninvasive and efficient way to start to bridge the vast gap that is felt between the different communities that inhabit Karachi and allows everyone’s opinions and thoughts to be heard and projected in a more creative and far interesting manner. For arts and other cultural activities to become that seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, the funding will also need to come from the people, for the people. As in Brazil’s art funding model, some percentage of the tax payer’s money is allocated by a nonprofit organization to provide the people with access not just to basic necessities but also to art, music and other cultural activities that they can indulge and participate in. The...
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...How Would You Change Government Arts Funding? The arts are a vital to our society, it helps us understand the past and future, and constantly provides us with a reminder of what we can offer to this world. In an address about the arts for students and the spouses of international leaders, our first lady Michelle Obama stated, “It is through our music, our literature, our art, drama and dance that we tell the story of our past and we express our hopes for the future. Our artists challenge our assumptions in ways that many cannot and do not. They expand our understandings, and push us to view our world in new and very unexpected ways. It's through this constant exchange -- this process of taking and giving, this process of borrowing and creating -- that we learn from each other and we inspire each other.” (Boehm, "Michelle Obama Tells International Audience Why the Arts Matter") It’s easy to see why keeping the arts alive should be a priority of our generation. We must find ways to support creativity, innovation, and artistic talent in any way that we can. The arts in America depends on a mixture of both public and private funding to stay alive. Since 1965, the US federal government has provided funding to the arts through an independent agency called the National Endowment for the Arts, or NEA. The goals of the agency include “the creation of art meeting the highest standards of excellence, engaging the public with diverse and excellent art, and promoting public knowledge...
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...Social Issues of Cutting Art Funding UMUC HUMN 100: Intro to Humanities 4010-24149 February 20, 2014 Social Issues of Cutting Art Funding When school budgets become strained, one of the first cuts is to the art programs, these include; art classes, theater, and music. Cuts to the above programs are used as sacrifices for extra-curricular activities, perhaps the most popular football. One social problem in cutting arts is that it deprives future generations of current art displays, which are often statements about the time period. It is also more sociable acceptable to participate in sports over a play. Another issue is that artists will not be able to be successful in their career choice. Even with the criticism, the arts play a critical role in a student’s career; therefore, it is malpractice to cut funding to arts in order to pay for extra-curricular activities. There are many benefits the arts can provide the common mass, whether it is entertainment, or stimulating thought and conversation. But the people or students involved in the performance or creating the art piece benefit the most. According to Mrs. Henry at the USA Today, the specific benefit one receives depends on the art discipline, “Drama helps with understanding social relationships. Music improves math achievement and proficiency, reading and cognitive development. Dance improves creative thinking, originality, and flexibility. Visual arts improve content and...
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...Art is an important part of every society. It tells of the history of the people, their culture and it depicts at each phase, what the society is going through. In today's fast paced era, people are almost always preoccupied with the chores of today and the concerns of tomorrow and they hardly find time to devote in appreciating various artforms which may have been one of their several childhood interests. Also, people's interests are increasingly changing and aligning with the art attractions of the latest century like metal music over classical or carnatic, plastic decorative furniture over ancient terracota for their homes and so on. Thus, largely lack of government funding can endanger the flourishing of arts and their availability to all people. Government ignoring the arts can lead to a loss of history. An example is Nigeria. All around the country are works of art were exhumed from the ground years ago: the figurines in Esie, the works of Nok, the golden tusks in Benin. The government doesn’t fund the arts and today works of Nigerian arts are found in museums all over the world . They are in the Louvre in Paris, museums in Italy and London but can hardly be found in Nigeria. The few ones left are in such a terrible state; information provided on the work seem bogus and inaccurate. Whereas in other nations like Italy, France, the original works of arts hang in such places as the Louvre and Vatican city and tells the story of the people because Government funds the arts...
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...Art and culture is a unique element that is present in every society and nation. It expresses the ideas, feelings and values of a society. It can justifiably be said that the richness of a society is determined by its art and culture. According to Theodor Adorno, culture is described as “that which goes beyond the system of self-preservation of the species,” which seems to contradict its essentiality to society. Even with rapid changes in the world through wars and civilization, arts and culture has remained a substantial facet of society throughout time. Despite its apparent appreciation in most societies, survival of the arts has without a doubt been challenging. An artist is defined as “a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination”. Artists involved in the arts and culture are in a constant struggle between expressing their artistic sides and their need for self-welfare. Howard Becker once wrote that “Some art activities do not operate in a money economy. Instead, a central government agency may allocate recourses for art projects.” According to Becker, with the creation of “culture industries”, organizations with profit motives have successfully latched on forms of arts with commercial value. He also said that their dominance needs to be stopped by the federal government to ensure equitable opportunities among artists. The earliest patronage of the arts dated before the First World War with the formation of the Commonwealth Literary Fund in 1908 and the...
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...Some people believe that government funding of the arts is necessary to ensure that the arts can flourish and be available to all people. Others believe that government funding of the arts threatens the integrity of the arts. Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented This is not a black-and-white issue; however, I believe that government funding of the arts does threaten the integrity of the arts. First, how are this government funding to be proportioned out? Would the arts be ranked in order of popularity, with the most popular type of art receiving the most funding? This is not a good use of limited government funding because it, in essence, awards monies to forms of art that most appeal to the public. Instead of true patronage of the arts, the government would be funding a popularity contest. Forms of art already popular with the public are funded by paying customers and do not need government funding. Second who determines what is worthy of funding? Are so-called community standards to be applied to each place where the goverment funds the arts? After all, what may be considered art, be it painting, music, theatre, etc., in New York City may not be considered art in Boise, Idaho. To establish a national standard of what is worthy of funding would be nearly impossible. In the...
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...Grants Fund Application from Toronto Arts Council The Toronto Arts Council has applied to a new fund, the Ford City Grants Fund, which was created for granting funding to non-profit organizations. Successful bidders will receive up to a $50,000 grant to offset costs from their operations and expenditures. This report serves to critically evaluate the Toronto Arts Council and determine whether it is worthy of receiving funding from the new Ford City Grants Fund. It will begin by providing a brief overview of the Toronto Arts Council and its activities, followed by evaluating how the Toronto Arts Council impacts Toronto's society and the need for the organization’s services. Lastly, the memo will conclude by deciding whether to grant the Ford City Grants Fund to the organization. This report is important as the Ford City Grants Fund has limited funds available and up to $50,000 may be granted to the organization, which is a hefty sum considering that money is tight. Furthermore, many organizations are applying for grants due to recent cuts in funding. It is therefore important that only the organizations most deserving of the grant should receive it. A. Overview of Toronto Arts Council 1. Background The Toronto Arts Council is mainly a volunteer-run organization with a small group of professional full-time staff. It's primary goal is to support the development, accessibility and excellence of the arts in Toronto. The Toronto Arts Council's activities consists of reviewing...
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...it’s worth noting that due to lack of capital resources, most museums undergo little or no progress. However, this is not the case with Tate Modern which has largely grown in size and rebranded its entire community The Stage recently reported (Merrifield, 2012) that local councils in the UK have reduced funding for arts organizations by 40% over the last year. Under ‘related posts’ on the website, there are links to a July article warning of a 90% cut in local authority expenditure on the arts by the year 2020 (Smith, 2012); one reporting a 40% cut since 2008 (Smith, 2011); one reporting the withdrawal of funding by London councils (Woolman, 2011); and one reporting a rather flaccid warning against such cuts, issued by the Arts Council of England in 2010 (Woolman, 2010). Clearly the present economic climate is not favourable for arts and cultural activities in the UK, or elsewhere in the developed world, where the effects of the 2008 global banking crisis continue to be deeply felt. The stories published by The Stage suggest that, at a local level, public authorities do not regard such activities as a priority to be defended at all costs. Nevertheless, in recent years, arts organizations have become more effective in arguing the economic case for continued commitment to public investment in cultural activity. The Edinburgh Festivals Impact Study published in 2011 (Choughley, U. et al., 2011) builds on previous studies (AEA...
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...Why Should Government Support the Arts? State governments today face monumental challenges: record-breaking budget shortfalls, rising unemployment, widespread home foreclosures and escalating needs for public assistance. States are wrestling with these immediate pressures while also trying to address long-term concerns about education, economic competitiveness and health care. All the while, public managers and elected officials must uphold the principles that taxpayers expect: thrift, accountability, equity and transparency. In this environment, all areas of spending—including the arts—are under increased scrutiny. Lawmakers may question whether government has a legitimate role to play in the arts or may ask why the arts should receive funds when so many other needs are pressing. We encourage you to welcome dialogue about these issues. The 40-year history of state arts agencies proves that when policymakers understand how the arts benefit government and citizens, they find a way to continue support, even during hard financial times. We hope that this document will help bring those benefits to the foreground and help your state answer common questions about government’s role in arts support. Designed for public arts leaders and advocates to excerpt and adapt, this material can be used to support your state’s case for the arts. Select the points that are most relevant in your situation. Quote the research. Add your own examples, and consider the tips and ideas included...
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...Subsidizing the Arts There is always much debate when it comes to government intervention in every aspect of a nation. The “less is more” versus the “more is necessary” views oppose one another leading to no end. When it comes to opinions of government subsidizing the art, each side has its weaknesses intertwined with their valid points causing many to be on the fences neither agreeing nor disagreeing that there is an issue with government subsidizing the arts. In Arts Funding: A New Approach, David Rawcliffe explains that government subsidizing would be necessary because the art market is subject to market failure. He explains that an accomplished arts industry creates national pride, leaves a legacy for future generations, contributes to education, encourages tourism, and that artistic innovation benefits other artists which isn’t protected by intellectual property laws (Rawcliffe). This means that an effective art industry has positive long term effects on a nation’s economy and society as a whole. Government subsidy also makes it possible for all to gain the benefits of art especially the lower income individuals that would normally be able to afford to attend art events (Rawcliffe). Another reason that the government should subsidize art is because generally the public wants them to as shown by a survey commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council. The survey found that 82% of the Scottish public believe that central government is responsible for the support of art and culture...
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...Students who participate in art and music at school are often more likely to win awards for school attendance, and be elected into class office. In the 1930’s, art education flourished since the Federal Art Program (FAP) provided jobs to artists and musicians as art teachers in public schools. In 1947, National Art and Education Association (NAEA) was formed to assist public schools in the funding of art programs. Although, in 1958, art education dwindled. The National Defense Education Act was formed when people saw that Americans were falling behind in education and they concluded it was because not enough funding was going into necessary education. Therefore, the amount of schools that funded art education reduced. However, in 1962, John...
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...Selena Anguiano The Benefits of U.S. Individual Giving for England’s Arts (Case Study) August 2008 Presented to City University (as required) for the diploma: MA-Culture, Policy and Management The Benefits of U.S. Individual Giving for England's Arts (Case Study) Anguiano, S. Table of Contents.………………………………………………………….….. 1 Tables ………………...……………………………………………………….... 2 Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………... 3 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………... 4 Declaration……………………………………………………………………… 5 Disclaimer………………………………………………………………………. 6 Abstract…………………………………………………………………………. 7 Chapter 1- Introduction…………………………………………………………. 8 1.1 Literature Review………………………………………………….. 11 1.2 Fundraising/Philanthropy Experts…………………………………. 12 1.3 Additional Material………………………………………………… 13 Chapter 2- Methodology……………………………………………………….. 14 2.1 Books and Reports 2.1.a Research Questions 2.2 Interviews…………………………………………………………... 15 2.3 Desk Research……………………………………………………… 19 Chapter 3- Research……………………………………………………………. 20 3.1 Philanthropy-A Very Brief Start 3.1.a-U.S.-Avoiding Triviality and Inadequacies of the Federal Government 3.1.b- England-Strategic Beginnings Give Birth to a State of Reticence………………………………………………… 22 3.2 Current Motivations for Individual Giving in the U.S. and England...24 3.2.a Non-profit Individual Giving Percentages…………………. 27 3.3 Deterrents to Individual Giving in England………………………….. 28 3.4 Case Study Interviews:………………………………………………. 30 3.4.a-„Suck It...
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...believe that art has an important role in society and artists have a freedom of expression. However, when it comes to public funding of Arts, majority of people would question to support and not voluntarily give their money to some particular artworks and artists who have a strongly different opinion, and try to express what they think is offensive. Ambiguously defined obscene and the fact that there’s no general standards of “proper art” has made many artworks and artists to be attacked. Chris Ofili’s The Holy Virgin Mary is the example of controversies over public funding and “offensive” art. In 1999, the Brooklyn Museum of Art exhibited The Holy Virgin Mary, the work includes many collaged images and materials include pornographic photographs of female genitalia and elephant dung....
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...this phenomenon was partially disproved, it still shows the important link between music and the brain. Music has been a part of humans’ lives since ancient times. According to Flynn, in ancient times, humans who were educated in music were highly respected. In Asia, arts education was required if a citizen wanted to become a government official. In the early twentieth century, psychologists began to promote the idea that arts education should be used to help children develop creativity. During the 1930s, with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, music education became very prevalent with the establishment of the Federal Arts Program (FAP). But, in 1958, the National Defense Education Act was passed. This act took away funding for arts education such as music classes and moved the focus to academic classes. This act was a response to the growing awareness that Americans were behind other countries in academic classes such as math and science. (Flynn) Music education in schools has declined ever since. Today, there is a large debate over music education in the United States. Some people believe that there are significant positive effects of music on the brain and that there is not enough funding for music education in schools. Alternatively, some people believe that music education should not be a priority over academic classes. (Flynn) No matter what the differences are, music education has always been a very important part of education and if it becomes obsolete...
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...safe and caring public school for children, staff, and community by teaching skills that promote responsible, respectful behavior to self and others. Brief Community Description The community of Far West is a suburb of New Hampshire, which is a large metropolitan area with 2 million residents. Far West has a population of 30,000. Far West Elementary School has a student population of 700, 30% of the student having relocated from Asian countries within the last 2 years. Many of these students’ families are moving into the community to take advantage of the low cost of housing and are comforted by the presence of similar cultures. Many of the new residents have limited English writing, reading, and speaking skills. Funding Opportunity This funding opportunity provides professional development activities intended to improve instruction for students with limited English proficiency (LEP) and assists educational personnel working with these students to meet high professional standards. Projects should increase the pool of highly qualified teachers prepared to serve LEP students and increase the skills of teachers already serving them. Authorized activities include • Upgrade qualifications and skills of personnel who are not certified or licensed. • Develop program curricula. • Support for tuition, fees, and books. Areas of focus may include but are not limited to • Alternative certification programs • Career ladder programs for paraprofessionals •...
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