Twenty Years On...

First Step towards a Participatory Cultural Policy: Re-Engaging Diverse Communities of Arts and Culture in a National Project

I agree with Adrian and Marian that many of the larger, more influential arts and culture organizations have "pre-emptied so much of the issue space". However, I think as this conversation about new terminology and policy unfolds, we must simultaneously reflect and move on how to engage/invite the cultural diversity/"people of color" trends into the center of deliberations. They are generally an after though and they often reinforce their marginalization, despite many gains and contributions to national understanding and identity over the last half century, by not acting as co-proprietors of the public space with all other citizens. After all these artists, cultural workers, and service groups spearheaded debate, policy formulation, and arts and interpretive practices that democratized recognition and support of arts and culture over the last fifty years. And the changed and still changing national demographics require their full participation to mature our democracy and to develop an equitable and just future of heritage and voice. The integrative construct of Expressive Lives will not reach its deliberative or practical potential to further evolve the nexus of arts, cultures and democracy in the larger society without fostering a network of networks in collaboration informed by a multiplicity of histories and voices working to highlight the richness of human experiences and capacities that give life, at times uneven and contentious, to our national identity and national development.

To Marian's question:"are we just going to ignore these {larger} organizations?” I say no. We must consciously and strategically take advantage of this moment of economic and ethical crisis to make prioritization of arts and culture ---heritage(s) and voice(s) -- and this kind of exchange and deliberation common practice throughout larger and smaller arts and culture communities and across the nation, and not resort to the trend of occasional issuing of policy reports and dialogues and high-profile commentary.

A proactive strategy is required to multiply this conversation across arts and culture organizations, local and national civic organizations, political, business, and educational institutions---if it is to become truly grounded and not just artificially inserted into public conscious via media strategies.