Comment: A good kick up the 'arts'

Thursday 29 November 2018

Jersey is at risk of becoming an 'artshole' - yep, you heard that right.

In the wake of a report that has exposed chronic underfunding in the arts in Jersey, the island's creative community is at risk if the States don't invest.

Translation: the Arts Centre or Opera House - two of the island's best loved cultural venues - will "undoubtedly" have to close if no further funding is found. So, what to do?

Having lobbied politicians about their commitment to the arts and experienced first-hand the challenges of creating on a shoestring, writer and performer Simon MacDonald is concerned about what the island stands to lose if arts funding continues to be slashed, as he told Express...

"I confess. I did it. I went on social media and ranted. A lot. My bad. 

Even while I was furiously jabbing splenetic rage at my poor phone, I was aware of a voice inside telling me to, "STOP, STOP now - you'll regret this...don't send that, don't post this *angry face*..." etc. I didn't listen. I kept going.

And now? Now, I need to explain. 

I blame the arts, you see. Or rather the artshole. Read it carefully before you write in. That's right: artshole. This term more than adequately describes the current financial situation that culture, arts and heritage (CAH to you and me) finds itself in Jersey in 2018. 

Pictured: The independent report has exposed chronic underfunding in the arts, which could force creative venues to close. 

While everyone I meet tends to talk about CAH in quite glowing terms ("CAH, eh? I love a bit of CAH, don't you?"), when it comes to paying for it, supporting it financially, encouraging more CAH, the conversation tends to get a little more strained: “Well, CAH shouldn't expect us to pay for it, CAH blimey, we've got a hospital to plan for, erm, screw up, I mean, project and provide for this generation and the next - we can't be throwing all our money at CAH… It CAHn't be done!”

OK, some of this I've made up using silly voices in my head and are clearly of my own making, but you get the picture.

I've been banging on about this - publicly at least - since around about the time of the last election in May. Being a writer and performer who has benefitted from the support of the JAC, the JOH and ArtHouse Jersey, when I saw the contents of the open letter to the States from these three detailing in brutally honest terms just how little governmental financial support they exist on while producing, encouraging and attracting events locally and beyond - I had to act (ahem).

I wrote to all prospective Senatorial candidates asking them what they would do to address this issue should they be successful in getting elected. Most responded, many replied with broadly supportive noises, some even had a stance that could be construed as a policy. 

Pictured: Writer and performer Simon MacDonald lobbied Senatorial candidates during the May elections to find out what their commitment is to the arts.

There were also those who said they wouldn't comment further until the Culture, Arts and Heritage Strategic Review and Recommendations Report was published - this week, it was. And what a fascinating read it is. Surprising given it's an official report, but credit where credit's due: BOP Consulting have done a sterling job of spotlighting the problems and have offered some workable solutions.

Essentially, it states that without proper, long-term sustained support and funding from government immediately, it is likely that either one or other of the JAC or JOH will have to close - and I'm not sure how that would be decided - some horrendous reality-led arts-off where each venue is pitted against the other in some Hunger Games-like scenario and the best dancer/improviser/pianist/poet performance wins for its champion before President Le Fondre's thumbs up or down? I don't think so. 

No, what the report calls for is better funding for both, in fact better funding for all CAH in Jersey that only attracts a measly £46 per person per year - this equates to 0.68% of government expenditure on CAH -  while someone in the Isle of Wight is considered worthy of more CAH to the tune of £91. Why? Have you even been to the Isle of Wight? Not as nice as here, but they got more CAH for their CASH, ain't they, eh?

Pictured: Simon's latest performance 'Going Underground' debuted on the stage of the Arts Centre - one of the venues at risk of closure - last month.

I could go on, I can't go on, I must go on.

This is what prompted my 'why, oh why?' rant on Twitter and Facebook this week. I'm not proud about that, but I am glad I said something and I am glad that there is now a bona fide report that confirms what I thought.

Read the report yourselves - please. Read it before you take to the interweb and do what I did - this will mean you're better informed and possibly less annoyed. And it might mean that we can lobby those that say they want to safeguard our CAH for this generation and the next AS WELL as provide all the other essential services we need. Make no mistake, CAH is an essential.

And the only thing worse than looking at an artshole is being in one."

The views expressed in this article are those of the contributor, not of Bailiwick Express.