In the News May 30

Arts and Culture — An Important Ontario Election Issue

The Important Role of Arts and Culture

Professional artists with proper working conditions will raise the level of the arts in society and contribute to society’s progress. By taking up this cause, artists are fighting for the well-being of everyone.

Today it is a big problem that the value artists contribute through their work is taken out of the economy in the form of profit by monopolies like Netflix, or those in the tech and gaming sectors. The value realized from artists’ work is not re-invested into the society so that the level of arts and culture can be continuously raised for everyone.

Oodles of public funds are also directed towards companies in the name of “culture and heritage” while artists are left to fend for themselves. This reflects the idea that the only aim for society is to ensure the profits of the rich and artists should just serve this aim when they know it is not the way to go. A different aim for society is needed. An aim to meet the needs of the people for social and cultural well-being. This is what many artists are already fighting for.

Artists are leaders in our community in fighting for their rights and the rights of all. They are building artist-run spaces, organizing themselves to ensure they receive proper funding for their work and advocating for the important role the arts play in society.

(empoweryourselfnow.ca, May 29, 2022)

Ontario Political Forum, posted May 30, 2022.