We need to hold all politicians to account for their responsibilities to the arts, say Alan Riach and Alexander Moffat.
What difference does a national policy for the arts make? The arts look after themselves, don’t they? We certainly don’t want government interference, do we?
Well, yes and no. Artists and poets, writers and composers do what they do in whatever ways we can. But if the work is any good, it needs to be enjoyed, appreciated, taken up and learnt from by others. It’s there for people.
Any artist might be wayward, singular, exceptional, elitist, but the work produced is always open to anyone’s approach.
This means that education in the arts is essential, and public knowledge of the arts is equally essential. How are we informed? How are we encouraged to be critical? What gives these poems, novels, plays, these paintings, these string quartets and symphonies, these operas, these folk songs, qualities others don’t have? How would you describe that quality? How do you value what these works bring you?
Sharp critical understanding of our own cultural achievements helps ensure a parity of recognition internationally, to deal nation to nation as equals... Keep reading on The National
What difference does a national policy for the arts make? The arts look after themselves, don’t they? We certainly don’t want government interference, do we?
Well, yes and no. Artists and poets, writers and composers do what they do in whatever ways we can. But if the work is any good, it needs to be enjoyed, appreciated, taken up and learnt from by others. It’s there for people.
Any artist might be wayward, singular, exceptional, elitist, but the work produced is always open to anyone’s approach.
This means that education in the arts is essential, and public knowledge of the arts is equally essential. How are we informed? How are we encouraged to be critical? What gives these poems, novels, plays, these paintings, these string quartets and symphonies, these operas, these folk songs, qualities others don’t have? How would you describe that quality? How do you value what these works bring you?
Sharp critical understanding of our own cultural achievements helps ensure a parity of recognition internationally, to deal nation to nation as equals... Keep reading on The National