Rupert, you're right that arts funding aint looking good at the moment.
Across the board. But a bit of context never hurt anyone. Since 1997
government arts spend has increased by 70%. That's quite a lot. If we're
looking for people to blame, look to business sponsorship and private
patrons. Apart from a few obvious exceptions, corporate and private
contribution has practically flatlined.
As for poetry... well, I think someone needs to tell our friends at ACE etc
that it is actually an artform. Not some tool for emotional self-help or
socio-economic improvement. Maybe then they'd believe in the art, not just
its assumed instrumental values.
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