Mar
03
According to a couple tweets from the Cultural Mapping, Cultural Planning conference going on in Toronto this week…. the median artist in Canada makes less than $19,000 a year.
Ugh.
I say that this has nothing to do with government funding, working space, available grants or corporate sponsorship… but with the fact that people are not raised to be patrons of the arts.
The average person can’t equate art to value … and what it will bring to their lives, if they just spend a little bit of money to enjoy it. I am not sure how far back this goes… maybe since the first world war? Industrial Revolution? world war II? the Baby Boom? with the decline in religion in the “western” world?
Not sure.
What i do know: it is an easy to solve problem.
GO BUY SOMETHING.
It’s not really that often that I preach that, and I really am not trying to pull a George W Bush move (post 9-11 newscast) but really… you can affect local, national and global artists by just putting a bit of money out there, in the right places.
- Buy a photograph from a local photographer.
- Go out and pay the cover charge to see a band play.
- Check out a show at a small theatre show, even though you’re not sure what to expect.
- If you see someone busking, reward them monetarily for their contribution to our vibrant society.
- Appreciate and reward good design, in all aspects of our culture.
- TEACH YOUR KIDS TO VALUE THE ARTS.
I’m just sayin.
More Action can create Actual change in this area. Let’s take advantage of that.
I’m sure you’ve got an opinion on this one – lemme have it!
H.
PS> Thanks to
Emily Robson for letting me know about this event and keeping everyone updated through twitter. check it out.
Posted in News & Other Half Truths | 6 Comments »
Feb
26
Ok Waterloo – You’ve been off my radar for a little bit these days. But i just HAVE to bring this up:
This Saturday, to raise money for Haiti, City of Waterloo volunteers will be having a charity….
wait for it…
wait for it…
INDOOR CAR WASH.
I’m not gonna go all crazy on you or anything, because I’m still on a TED high and I am slightly worried that I’m over-reacting, BUT:
A) It’s Winter.
B) IT’S AN EXTREME WASTE OF WATER!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re using up natural resources to clean the first world’s SUVs while people in Haiti are forced to solicit the black market for the foreign aid that isn’t being properly managed into the hands of the needy???????????
Ok. Just sayin’.
Car washes should be $100 fucking dollars because they are so wasteful and unnecessary.
GAWD.
In other news, the City of Waterloo will be giving away Free Hot Chocolate and Chili tonight from 5-7 pm (while quantities last) at Waterloo Public Square to celebrate and thank the donors who made the frozen oval of clean water that we skate on, possible.
Almost positive this contributes to why the developing world hates North America.
H.
Posted in News & Other Half Truths | 4 Comments »
Feb
23
Here’s a couple interesting things that have happened in the last 20 hours in KW.
And the Library thing happened today, but I gotta say, didn’t make it. Apparently, nothing to report, information-wise…. well, nothing other than the fact that the Library Board should obviously hire a PR company to advise on how to deal with the public. Just sayin.
Last night was great, but LATE. holy.
H.
Posted in News & Other Half Truths | 1 Comment »
Feb
12
Just spoke to the library.
Feb 23rd, 7:30am
Main WPL branch on Albert st.
An open meeting for citizens to address the library board regarding the firing of Cathy Matyas. Bring your coffee.
As an aside, the woman I spoke to on the phone jokingly told me to 'bring my friends' … interesting.
See you there, Andrew and Anonymous?
H.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Posted in News & Other Half Truths | No Comments »
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