The Globe and Mail is covering Stelmach's Alberta in more than just energy business or environmental terms...they are looking into the Arts in Alberta too...Terrific.
I spent some time on the phone recently with Alexandra Gill who penned the piece for the Globe and Mail. Here is the link in case you missed it.
The artistic soul of Alberta has long been in Edmonton where there is more variety, depth, diversity and tradition...but Calgary is coming on strong. The emergence of other areas like Red Deer, Athabasca, Lethbridge to name a few are adding to the new Alberta too. It is time we got beyond the redneck and roughneck caricature imagery that has become a stifling cliche for what the rest of Canada has come to see as Albertan.
Arts, culture and heritage has been ignored for far too long by the GOA. I expect that will change with a new Premier. The leadership campaign saw a few candidates appreciate the creative spirit that beats in the breast of the new Alberta. I trust this “political will” shall persist then quickly evolve into some serious support.
There is a new sense of what it means to be Albertan in every corner of the province. There is a more vibrant and vital definition about what quality of life really means emerging throughout Alberta today. I did a Policy Channel interview with Simon Brault, the Vice Chair of the Canada Council on the role and importance of the arts to society and the economy. Here is that link as well
The arts, culture and heritage are 21st century public infrastructure in a knowledge based economy and technologically sophisticated society like Alberta, just as roads and rails were in the early industrial economy.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly promising news vis-a-vis our new premier and Alberta finally receiving the credit it deserves for its diverse, grassroots and strong arts, culture and heritage programs. As Hancock said during the campaign, "I don't know why we still have to keep convincing Toronto that we have culture here."
Sean
Here here.
ReplyDeleteThe only issue is on the "how" to fund the arts and culture.
...And that doesn't include throwing truckloads of cash at it.
ReplyDeleteI propose a mix between outright government funding + matching 50% credits for every private dollar donated (or some other suitable percentage).