DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Calling all Canadians
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 41, (reverse)
AuthorThread
09/27/2008 11:42:25 AM · #1
As you might be aware, the importance of arts and culture in Canada has become a major issue in our present electoral campaign.

The Writer's Guild of Canada is encouraging all concerned Canadians who are able, to gather in demonstration of the importance of this issue on October 8th, between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, in front of the CBC building in Toronto.

As someone who works in the arts, I intend to be there. As an amateur photographer, I intend to take my camera along.

I urge everyone who's able to show up, either to express their feelings about the issue, or to be part of an impromptu GTG. The organizers are hoping for more than 1000 people to be there. It's guaranteed that there will be many Canadian "celebrities" in attendance. It'll be a regular "whose that?" of Canadian film, television and literature, etc.

I hope to see other DPCers there. In any case, I'll post some pics.

Cheers.
09/27/2008 12:19:11 PM · #2
Bump
09/27/2008 02:19:06 PM · #3
Too far for me to attend but I would if I could.

[sarcasm]Harper will put more people in jail with that money, what's wrong with that?[/sarcasm] I mean I would rather see a pot smoking executive earning 200K in jail, than some artist who creates culturally important art making a living doing what he wants.

With Canada's surpluses year after year after year this rodeo clown decides to cut funding for the arts. Who in their right mind would vote for this idiot? Ok Colette would but she's the only one. eheheh
09/27/2008 04:38:47 PM · #4
Where is everybody?
09/27/2008 05:35:18 PM · #5
Originally posted by Fromac:

Where is everybody?


Not at work, where most of the browsing is done from on DPC. :)
09/27/2008 07:13:13 PM · #6
I might be able to swing by during lunch.
09/27/2008 08:27:50 PM · #7
go to toronto
??!!!
eewwww
09/27/2008 08:32:51 PM · #8
Being on the opposite side of Canada, I can't attend, but I agree with it.

Some of the things I've been reading about this whole mess have just furthered my head-shaking at Harper.

But money talks these days, and we're going to end up with a Harper majority because to far too many people, the illusion that Harper would be any better with a budget is more important than humanity.
09/28/2008 06:59:09 PM · #9
Another bump. I really want to hear from Canadians on this.
09/29/2008 10:54:02 AM · #10
Bumped for the mornign crowd...

I'd definitely be there if I could.
09/29/2008 11:05:23 AM · #11
Richard, Sadly were to be part of the "celebrities" in attendance. It'll be a regular "whose that?" of Canadian film, television and literature, etc." but now we will be on set filming and as far as I can see we will not have a chance to be in attendance.

This is a great effort and if anyone on this site can make it and support us it would be great.

Richard, good on you for trying to drum up support.

MAX!
09/29/2008 11:26:59 AM · #12
Maybe I'll bring some pitchforks and torches!
09/29/2008 12:05:21 PM · #13
The very sad truth about all of this rests in the fact that very few people have any semblance of an idea of just what was cut.

Yes it is a cut to the Arts, but exactly what is it that was cut.

Not unlike a bevy of other well intentioned activities, the Arts have managed to keep their little domain a relative secret to the remainder of society, yet seek society's support whenever their kingdom is assailed.

Sorry, but I have seen some of the activities masquerading as Art, and I for one have no problems with their being some cuts made.

Ray
09/29/2008 12:54:44 PM · #14
If the part that was cut was the budget of the National Gallery to purchase a $2 million stripe or a dress made out of a side of beef then cut away.


09/29/2008 01:26:56 PM · #15
I'm sorry, I think if Canadians truly cared about art then it would be a self sufficient industry.

*shrug*

09/29/2008 07:58:28 PM · #16
It's not just about art. It's also about culture. If Canadians really cared about their culture, they wouldn't spend tens of millions of dollars on American television programming every year...they'd put that money into producing their own. The annual purchase of prime-time TV shows (many of them already canceled by the originating networks before they air here) is a blatant example of our thoughtless willingness to consume cultural products other than our own.

The point is...if we don't elect governments who will take steps to encourage and promote Canadian art made by Canadian artists, we'll lose a sense of what makes us unique...and we'll just turn into Americans.
09/29/2008 10:25:11 PM · #17
Originally posted by Fromac:

It's not just about art. It's also about culture. If Canadians really cared about their culture, they wouldn't spend tens of millions of dollars on American television programming every year...they'd put that money into producing their own. The annual purchase of prime-time TV shows (many of them already canceled by the originating networks before they air here) is a blatant example of our thoughtless willingness to consume cultural products other than our own.

The point is...if we don't elect governments who will take steps to encourage and promote Canadian art made by Canadian artists, we'll lose a sense of what makes us unique...and we'll just turn into Americans.


Sorry but I don't buy that argument either.

Make a product that is good and it will sell, regardless of its origins. I am old enough to recall movies of mounties singing "Rose Marie" and countless numbers of made in Canada duds, whose sole reason for survival in the market place was wholly attributable to "Canadian Content" requirements.

With regards to culture, other than the French Canadian culture, one could argue that political correctness has had a more negative impact on our culture than any other factor.

Ray
09/29/2008 11:11:41 PM · #18
Originally posted by RayEthier:



Make a product that is good and it will sell, regardless of its origins.


If that's true, wouldn't the inverse apply as well? Bad product shouldn't sell. And yet...

Unfortunately, sales volume has only a very tenuous connection with quality.
09/29/2008 11:48:16 PM · #19
Originally posted by RayEthier:

The very sad truth about all of this rests in the fact that very few people have any semblance of an idea of just what was cut.

Yes it is a cut to the Arts, but exactly what is it that was cut.

Not unlike a bevy of other well intentioned activities, the Arts have managed to keep their little domain a relative secret to the remainder of society, yet seek society's support whenever their kingdom is assailed.

Sorry, but I have seen some of the activities masquerading as Art, and I for one have no problems with their being some cuts made.

Ray


Ray is absolutely right on with his take. For years and years the generosity of the taxpayers has been taken advantage of by those who have learned very well how to work the system for their 'artistic' benefit. Legitimate organizations who DO contribute to Canadian culture will still get their funding... as for the rest, the ride is over, and about time.
09/30/2008 07:52:18 AM · #20
Canadian art is unique because it doesn't resemble American art. With Harper we'll get a nice flow of American looking art made by Canadians. Great for our identity. When Canada should be pushing for originality in Canadian art it does the opposite, thanks to near sighted politicians who have no taste for art in the first place. Next Harper will want that only religious art be sponsored by his government. Or lets only use the color blue from now on. What a twit! I mean look at him, you can always tell a twit is a twit just by looking. ;]
09/30/2008 08:05:05 AM · #21
Originally posted by Bujanx:

I'm sorry, I think if Canadians truly cared about art then it would be a self sufficient industry.

*shrug*


It's a market failure, and it's understandable that this is not a self-sufficient industry. I back the idea that the government should support the arts.
09/30/2008 09:51:29 AM · #22
Originally posted by Oich:

Originally posted by Bujanx:

I'm sorry, I think if Canadians truly cared about art then it would be a self sufficient industry.

*shrug*


It's a market failure, and it's understandable that this is not a self-sufficient industry. I back the idea that the government should support the arts.


How is it understandable? If people want the product, they will pay for it. I personally love the arts and have no issue paying for it.

I'd be all for governments giving loans to the arts that would need to be payed back, just like any other business (like mine!) but the idea of grants really irks me.

I have a neighboor who is an 'artists' and I swear he hasn't sold a peice of art in the last 5 years. Yet he works from home, drives two beautiful, beautiful cars and has one hellava nice house. He is a government funded artists and it irks me ;P

09/30/2008 10:49:01 AM · #23
Here's an interesting article.
09/30/2008 11:04:38 AM · #24
Originally posted by Fromac:

Here's an interesting article.


I'm all for the arts but I have to agree with the one comment posted by TMH on that page;

As usual, these grant programs are created and then it's a free for all to see who can scam the cash first! I believe rock bands, comedians, media personalities etc are usually self-employed, which means they pay their own way, just like all of the other self-employed people in Canada struggling to make a living for their families. If you are going to have an arts grant program then the non-profit cultural groups like the Museum, small ballet companies and some theatre groups etc. should be able to access it and it should have very specific criteria....just don't make it so easy to get!
09/30/2008 11:24:34 AM · #25
Originally posted by jdennique:

Originally posted by Fromac:

Here's an interesting article.


I'm all for the arts but I have to agree with the one comment posted by TMH on that page;

As usual, these grant programs are created and then it's a free for all to see who can scam the cash first! I believe rock bands, comedians, media personalities etc are usually self-employed, which means they pay their own way, just like all of the other self-employed people in Canada struggling to make a living for their families. If you are going to have an arts grant program then the non-profit cultural groups like the Museum, small ballet companies and some theatre groups etc. should be able to access it and it should have very specific criteria....just don't make it so easy to get!


I agree with that too. The problem is who gives it out, not who gets the money. If it were being done properly instead of just giving it out with minimal prerequisites then this can fly for everybody including the artists who really should be getting it. Cutting the budget on the arts does zero for Canada and its artists. It'll only help artists decide to pack it in and move to the US of E (entertainment).

Message edited by author 2008-09-30 11:25:02.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 12:51:19 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 12:51:19 AM EDT.