The DevonArtsCulture event at Dartington Hall was an interesting affair – I admit I spent the majority of the time in the bar – these events are meant to be about networking and the bar is my favourite haunt for these activities.
The use of statistics is an art form based on bullshit and political expedience. Apparently 11% of Devon’s economy is built on art and craft based industries or individuals. If these statistics are correct (and depending on the definitions of art and craft) this is a considerable percentage.
DevonArtsCulture in North Devon is about to cease to exist (I was told) and DevonArtsCulture as a mentoring organisation will only operate in a diluted form. What will happen to the percentage of the 11% who have benefited from the 3 years of DevonArtsCulture – do they disappear? If the concept of enabling scattered artist in communities in a deprived area becomes a low priority what will happen to the businesses that are beginning to grow – is it only worth supporting a new venture for 3 years? DevonArtsCulture needs more than three years to grow. The mentors and the mentored need a safety net to achieve sustainability.
In the past in North Devon… artist support was given by an Arts Officer (a local governmental official) – There is no Arts Officer now; there was a cutback in funding. Organisations like North Devon Arts filled that vacuum; NDA is a group of artist who pay a minimal subscription to become a member. The committee of this group were forced to become an unpaid arts liaison organisation, an undertaking that was reasonably successful and filled a small gap in the power vacuum.
What happens now in North Devon do the NDA take on more of the mentoring? This is impossible on voluntary bases. It would be a smart political move for NDA (and others) to give some of their bank funds directly to DevonArtsCulture and shame the tight arsed bastards – saying, we are (as artists) telling you we need support in North Devon – we need a safety net and we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is… why don’t you? Or does bullshit taste better?