| The sudden interest of the city and provincial politicians in embracing arts and culture in Alberta is a welcome development that should open the eyes of the general public to the importance of this sector in our daily lives.
The provincial government's recent paltry and long overdue budget increase for arts funding was described by Community Development Minister Gene Zwodesky as an investment. The city council’s acceptance of the Civic Arts Policy review that was prepared by a consultant without much participation from the arts community should be viewed positively.
In an ultra-capitalist society like Calgary, the economic imperatives that dominate our daily existence have relegated our social necessities to the bottom of the ladder. We would rather invest in a nuclear bomb factory, since war is a more profitable venture than allocating financial resources to arts and culture, which are potent weapons of peaceful co-existence, but with intangible compensation. Investing in arts, health and education are frowned upon as subscribing to socialist ideology, whereas the so-called primitive society values the essence of arts and culture because they have sustained their lives in an otherwise hostile environment.
Art is our eyes, the things we see around us that give us focus and direction. Art is our ear, the sound of music that keeps us mentally alert. Art is our nose, the sweet smell of nature. Art is our mouth, the poetry of languages and self-expression. Art is our brain, the creative edge of our existence. Arts and culture are all encompassing. They enhance us mentally, physically and spiritually. They define who we are as human beings and our contribution to the betterment of our world.
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