The arts themselves, as I considered the matter, by their ultimately sensual essence, are, in the long run, inimical to those who pursue power for its own sake. Conversely, the artist who traffics in power does so, if not necessarily disastrously, at least at considerable risk. A Buyer's Market (1952). … [Read more...]
Archives for 2025
A few words from your friendly neighbourhood Canadian: updated
This is a blog about arts management and policy. But as someone who has led many students through the basics of international trade, and as your resident Canadian, I'm going to use this space for a few words on the current state of relations across the 49th parallel. As bad as things are in the current tariff dispute, I don't think it's the worst thing happening right now. Targeting vulnerable groups is cruel, and worse. Recent Cabinet appointments are as unqualified as one could possibly imagine (under an administration claiming a … [Read more...]
What is public funding of the arts for?
Some Adam Smith as an appetizer… Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer. The maxim is so perfectly self-evident, that it would be absurd to attempt to prove it. Now to the present. Nashville’s WPLN public radio reports on a dispute at the city’s Metro Arts agency: The debate can be summed up like this: should Metro Arts focus its grantmaking on individual artists or arts … [Read more...]