 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 leading British artists have joined the campaign against the proposed 25-percent cuts in government funding of their meal tickets the arts on Saturday.
Supporters of the artists' campaign will be asked to sign a petition which will be sent to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The Ministry of Funny Walks having taken heavy cuts itself...
The petition points out that it has taken 50 years to create a vibrant arts culture in Britain that is the envy of the world, and appeals to the government not to slash arts funding. It warns the government of risking destroying this long-term achievement and the social and economic benefits it brings to all.
| For decoration?!? I don't think so; when Rembrandt and his crew where making waves in the Netherlands, they were able to make a decent living strictly from private sales. Likewise several generations of artists in Renaissance Italy, Regency England... the list goes on and on. Bottom line, if an artist needs a government subsidy, it's a clear sign he's not good enough to make it on his own. |
The artists acknowledge that reasonable cuts and efficiencies are necessary
| but on someone else please. Perhaps the military? |
but they fear that the 25-percent cuts being proposed will destroy much of what has been achieved and will have a particularly damaging impact on national and regional museums and their collections.
| The museums already have collections, generally considerably more than they have room to display. Without government subsidies distorting the market, they'll be able to afford the few truly good pieces they need to update their catalogs... and if necessary they can sell off some of their less remarkable pieces to decorate bourgeois living rooms, leading to improved lives for all involved. |
Robert Dufton, Paul Hamlyn Foundation director, said: "We are pleased to support this campaign and hope that its message is taken on board. As independent funder of the arts we are aware of the effect that cuts will have on many of the organizations we support. We stand to lose a great deal as a society if arts organizations are forced to stop the very valuable work they do."
| Because supporting the mediocre, who would benefit psychologically as well as financially from being forced into professions for which they are eminently more suited, is the primary function of any civilized society. |
The campaign is being organized by the London branch of a national consortium of over 2,000 arts organizations and artists dedicated to working together and finding new ways to support the arts in Britain.
| Given that your government is nearly bankrupt, y'all might want to get on with finding new ways to support, as well as narrowing the list of those you are willing to work for. |
Artists joined the campaign including David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Anthony Caro, Howard Hodgkin, Anish Kapoor, Richard Hamilton, Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin.
| Really, I must pay more attention. I haven't any idea who these people are. Perhaps if Mr Mondrian were among their number, I'd be more impressed. |
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