Off-topic and a bit long-winded of a rant, but bear with me...
The fact that we came to see art solely as a career path / profit generator disturbs me. Even more disturbing is Trump taking over Kennedy Center for the Arts.
Looking at this list I couldn't help of thinking how we as a society often see art as black and white/winner takes it all kind of issue. Either it brings money or it doesn't. If it does, the creator is a genius, if it doesn't it must be shoddy crap. The reality is that there are plenty of shades in between, but looks like collectively we're still stuck with asking about streaming numbers/Youtube views etc etc etc
Agreed. I don't think money equals good art. I've never understood music competitions. Or dance. Seems music and dance should be about co-operation, not competition.
I help run a youth music showcase in my town and in it's first year it was a full on competition with big prizes and winners and losers. It was exciting for the audience but hard for the musicians and also for the judges who were the musical mentors so we got rid of the competitive element after that. 13-18 year olds are super shy and putting them through the stress and judgement was stopping people from entering - and like you say, competition is not what music is about.
The basic issue is that worth is measured only in money. By those standards, a woman staying home to raise her kids is not contributing. Her nurturing has no value. All the neighbourly things we do for each other have no value because they aren't paid. Far from being the medium of exchange it was designed to be, money has become the exchange itself.
I think we have to create a society that encourages creativity in everyone. Maybe teach people to stop projecting their own unlived creative lives onto celebrity artists. Instead, foster the understanding that creativity is basic to human flourishing and a part of all of us. Just imagine how many truly great new artists we'd have if the pool of creatives included everyone.
The idea that creativity is only meaningful to the extent that there's a financial reward for its expression is one of the big killers here, I reckon. This could easily turn into a rant, and I'll spare you that, but the utilitarian/economic yardstick is often the only one that's used in education and other settings, and it isn't helpful to human flourishing, which is what we're talking about here. I'm not denying the importance of the utilitarian/economic yardstick, but it shouldn't be the only that ever gets taken out of the tool-bag.
I recently learned that Japan has a national holiday called Culture Day. There are festivals and parades all over the country. An entire day dedicated to celebrating culture. That is a fantastic thing. We should do that here.
As I age, I desperately wish there were more local, quiet jazz clubs. Places where adults could gather to have drinks and maybe even dinner, with a combo. Richmond, VA has multiple venues, but only if you’re under 35. My head banging days are over and I grew up.
I would have started with 1) More local theatre 2) More safe yet informal indoor musical performance spaces with some picnic tables & enough space to dance 3) More 4H.
Fabulous, I love these. Although I am going to disagree about recitals. Are recitals in the U.S. different than those in Canada? Because I absolutely love my kids' recitals, and they love them too. I think it depends on the teacher - there are better and worse ways to do them - but I've been lucky and every performance they've ever given has almost brought me to tears, for them and all the other kids out there showing their stuff!
Ted, #21 got close to a very potent point. Cilivization (thank you, Bug Bunny) could learn a lot from your "Music to Raise the Dead" book and I believe would do so if offered valid, demonstrably effective ways that music works. Not the clinical board-certified Music Therapy protocols that only licensed advanced degree specialists are supposed to use, but actual ways to dig in to a performance (live or recorded) instead of doing the sitstill in the audience with the belief that a changed mood or rattled physiology is transformative. Chevron's opera initiative was a good antidote to the royal flush government schools gave music and the arts. When people actually understand ways they can use music and the arts for, say, wellness, the value of music and the arts will rise as well as demand, and, I suspect the percentage of people who are more well will also rise thanks to their new music/arts grokking tools.
Many health professionals in the fields that a few decades ago were "alternative" have recognized this and play healing music in their waiting rooms and cubicles.
that is the fault of the. greedy local government because a warehouse or storefront that is not generatng revenue is no good them and cannot collect sales tax, so they prevent DIY venues from operating they harass them and treat them as criminals.
1) Ensure that commercial radio stations in each state play a 10 percent quota of music by new artists from that state. Easy for stations in Tennessee, California, Texas and New York, but an astonishing boost for artists in flyover states...
Love this! Re: Netflix shipping classic films on disc -- screw Netflix. Scarecrow Video in Seattle has one of the largest collections in North America -- over 150K titles on DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, and laser disc. It's the last remaining video rental store in Seattle. And they rent by mail. I've been a member for over twenty years. From the most commercial films to the most obscure, they've got it. It's a movie lover's paradise. And it's a non-profit constantly struggling to survive. They've partnered with the Seattle International Film Festival, but what they really need is a large, national subscriber base, and the annual support of film lovers everywhere. It's a precious resource. Check it out. https://scarecrowvideo.org/
Re: #2
Just ask them to clap along to a song. If they clap on the 1 and 3, open the trapdoor.
hah!
Off-topic and a bit long-winded of a rant, but bear with me...
The fact that we came to see art solely as a career path / profit generator disturbs me. Even more disturbing is Trump taking over Kennedy Center for the Arts.
Looking at this list I couldn't help of thinking how we as a society often see art as black and white/winner takes it all kind of issue. Either it brings money or it doesn't. If it does, the creator is a genius, if it doesn't it must be shoddy crap. The reality is that there are plenty of shades in between, but looks like collectively we're still stuck with asking about streaming numbers/Youtube views etc etc etc
Agreed. I don't think money equals good art. I've never understood music competitions. Or dance. Seems music and dance should be about co-operation, not competition.
I help run a youth music showcase in my town and in it's first year it was a full on competition with big prizes and winners and losers. It was exciting for the audience but hard for the musicians and also for the judges who were the musical mentors so we got rid of the competitive element after that. 13-18 year olds are super shy and putting them through the stress and judgement was stopping people from entering - and like you say, competition is not what music is about.
everything's about cooperation.
until you start getting really good.
trying to make a famous dance troupe, auditioning to fill a vacancy in a successful band. you better believe it's about competition.
The basic issue is that worth is measured only in money. By those standards, a woman staying home to raise her kids is not contributing. Her nurturing has no value. All the neighbourly things we do for each other have no value because they aren't paid. Far from being the medium of exchange it was designed to be, money has become the exchange itself.
I think we have to create a society that encourages creativity in everyone. Maybe teach people to stop projecting their own unlived creative lives onto celebrity artists. Instead, foster the understanding that creativity is basic to human flourishing and a part of all of us. Just imagine how many truly great new artists we'd have if the pool of creatives included everyone.
The idea that creativity is only meaningful to the extent that there's a financial reward for its expression is one of the big killers here, I reckon. This could easily turn into a rant, and I'll spare you that, but the utilitarian/economic yardstick is often the only one that's used in education and other settings, and it isn't helpful to human flourishing, which is what we're talking about here. I'm not denying the importance of the utilitarian/economic yardstick, but it shouldn't be the only that ever gets taken out of the tool-bag.
I find it interesting that on Star Trek, Next Generation, everyone has a cultural pursuit in their free time. Even Data likes to paint.
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy famously said “Everyone is talented.”
I recently learned that Japan has a national holiday called Culture Day. There are festivals and parades all over the country. An entire day dedicated to celebrating culture. That is a fantastic thing. We should do that here.
"Minneapolis has Dylan"
AND Prince and The Replacements and Soul Asylum and Husker Du and even friggin "Surfin' Bird" ;)
Bob Mould would tear that stadium APART.
Prince managed to steal the halftime show from beyond the grave when Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.
(His had a video cameo during Justin Timberlake's 15 minutes of tepid flim-flam).
And the Jayhawks.
I think this is perfect. How do we put you in charge??
I second that.
As I age, I desperately wish there were more local, quiet jazz clubs. Places where adults could gather to have drinks and maybe even dinner, with a combo. Richmond, VA has multiple venues, but only if you’re under 35. My head banging days are over and I grew up.
Funny you mention Richmond--great music scene if you're into the hard stuff. I've been looking for a coffeehouse acoustic vibe, haven't found one.
I would have started with 1) More local theatre 2) More safe yet informal indoor musical performance spaces with some picnic tables & enough space to dance 3) More 4H.
Fabulous, I love these. Although I am going to disagree about recitals. Are recitals in the U.S. different than those in Canada? Because I absolutely love my kids' recitals, and they love them too. I think it depends on the teacher - there are better and worse ways to do them - but I've been lucky and every performance they've ever given has almost brought me to tears, for them and all the other kids out there showing their stuff!
Excellent list! Regarding #29, check out the Girl Scouts, who have had badges for arts at every level for years: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/badge-explorer.html
Lovely example: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-stories/girl-scouts/national-gold-award-girl-scouts-19/music-education-in-schools.html
Ted, #21 got close to a very potent point. Cilivization (thank you, Bug Bunny) could learn a lot from your "Music to Raise the Dead" book and I believe would do so if offered valid, demonstrably effective ways that music works. Not the clinical board-certified Music Therapy protocols that only licensed advanced degree specialists are supposed to use, but actual ways to dig in to a performance (live or recorded) instead of doing the sitstill in the audience with the belief that a changed mood or rattled physiology is transformative. Chevron's opera initiative was a good antidote to the royal flush government schools gave music and the arts. When people actually understand ways they can use music and the arts for, say, wellness, the value of music and the arts will rise as well as demand, and, I suspect the percentage of people who are more well will also rise thanks to their new music/arts grokking tools.
Many health professionals in the fields that a few decades ago were "alternative" have recognized this and play healing music in their waiting rooms and cubicles.
More live music at places that aren't bars
that is the fault of the. greedy local government because a warehouse or storefront that is not generatng revenue is no good them and cannot collect sales tax, so they prevent DIY venues from operating they harass them and treat them as criminals.
1) Ensure that commercial radio stations in each state play a 10 percent quota of music by new artists from that state. Easy for stations in Tennessee, California, Texas and New York, but an astonishing boost for artists in flyover states...
2) Forbid calling artists and bands "acts."
"30 Steps to Revitalize Arts & Culture"?
And No.1 is the Superbowl?
So, the article should more clearly read: 30 Steps to Revitalize American Ersatz Arts & Culture
Minneapolis, Dylan does Prince, Husker du do Dylan, Replacements do Du, etc
Love this! Re: Netflix shipping classic films on disc -- screw Netflix. Scarecrow Video in Seattle has one of the largest collections in North America -- over 150K titles on DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, and laser disc. It's the last remaining video rental store in Seattle. And they rent by mail. I've been a member for over twenty years. From the most commercial films to the most obscure, they've got it. It's a movie lover's paradise. And it's a non-profit constantly struggling to survive. They've partnered with the Seattle International Film Festival, but what they really need is a large, national subscriber base, and the annual support of film lovers everywhere. It's a precious resource. Check it out. https://scarecrowvideo.org/
We have Vidiots in L.A., which from the crowds and events they're putting on appears to be doing well. https://vidiotsfoundation.org/