This letter was published by the Peninsula News Review, July 29th 2009

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Making the Arts Worthy.

Mr. Kevin Krueger,
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

It is with interest, amazement and disbelief when I read a statement you made during a recent interview.

The new Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Kevin Krueger, characterized the arts community as unconcerned about drastic funding cuts....

“I am not hearing complaints at all from the arts and cultural community,” he said. “I think people are pretty happy with what we’ve done.”
AND....
“I don’t think anyone is lighting their hair on fire about what is coming down the pipe....I see lots of optimism in the people that are representing the arts and cultural community.”

I think it should be realized Mr. Krueger, and I suspect that you already know, that politicians these days, have very little credibility. Your statement is bordering on the ridiculous, eroding the public‘s confidence in what you are and your knowledge of the Arts. I challenge you to show us (the arts community) facts and figures that back up your statements. It is not good enough to shoot from the “lip“ with off the cuff statements, thinking you can bluff your way through the Arts Community.

You should understand that professional artists are deep thinkers and give great thought to all they do. This statement is based on 50 years experience as a Artist and years of volunteer support of many arts organizations in Quebec, Ontario, and BC, where I am now a director of CARFAC BC for the last 6 years. It should also be noted that in the 33 years as a practicing artist, I have never relied upon a hand out from the government. Truly it has been a hand to mouth situation endeavouring to do what I “must“ do. Creating and imagination is the existence of so many aspects of everyday occurrences involving thousands of occupations.... “Creative thinking and imagination“, got mankind to the Moon and Mars as stated by the the astronauts at recent celebrations of the Moon landing.

When the Liberal Provincial party and the Federal Government make cuts to the Arts, it causes a reaction that I suspect you have never considered. Funding Cuts send a distinct and direct message to citizens that says, “THE ARTS ARE NOT WORTHY”. This in turn causes a reduction of involvement to Visual, Performing and Video Arts. It causes a self propagating situation. Your funding cuts causes John-Q-Public to stop supporting and participating, resulting in major reduction of income for artists and therefore less tax revenue.

Lack of funding and off the cuff “lip” comments do nothing to stimulate any industry. Financial stimulus is critical as apparent with the recent influx of monies to stimulate the financial sectors of the world. The building of confidence in the banking system avoided a crisis and was a winning action.

People like winners not losers... Fund cutting of the Arts sends a message to so many that we are losers and it does nothing but cause degeneration of society’s social conscience.

Yours Sincerely.

Graham Scholes

Cc: Fin.Minister@gov.bc.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca,
murray.coell.mla@leg.bc.ca, moorej1a@parl.gc.ca,
Spencer.Herbert.MLA@leg.bc.ca, lunng@parl.gc.ca,
carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca, editor@peninsulanewsreview.com,
sunletters@vancouversun.com, pm@pm.gc.ca,
letters@tc.canwest.com, provletters@theprovince.com,
BCArtsCouncil@gov.bc.ca, Jeremy.Long@gov.bc.ca,
info@allianceforarts.com, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria