News & Events

Death and Uncertainty

"Art for art's sake? I should think so, and more so than ever at the present time. It is the one orderly product which our middling race has produced. It is the cry of a thousand sentinels, the echo from a thousand labyrinths; it is the lighthouse which cannot be hidden. It is the best evidence we can have of our dignity." E. M. Forster

Death and passing of great dance artists such as Pina Bausch and Merce Cunningham and, yes, even pop star Michael Jackson in the last months brought an emotional impact, an honouring and resounding jubilee of their creativity, contribution, essence, presence and importance to our lives.

BUT When death comes to artistic works and artists through funding cuts, then I believe it is the killing of an unborn dream, possibilities and some magic in our lives.

As I write this blog, the BC arts community suffers a brutal rate of funding cuts from the government that will leave artists unemployed and organizations closed. It is ill and grave when freedom of expression cannot breath and dies.

Society suffers greatly from this [budget cut] ( impassioned act of irreverence) that prevents the potential benefits that could enrich the cultural sector for generations in BC.

For over 2 decades as a dedicated art practitioner, I witness the rise and growth and potential of Canada?s West Coast artistic field. Beyond expectations, an array of golden arts and artists have flourished in BC and proclaimed our little map of Canada's West Coast on international stages. When I share my work with a global audience, I share a piece of BC where I have been nurtured and provided the essentials to dream, make dance and to live.

Cut the arts in our lives and we are doomed!

What happens next? The doubt, fear, isolation and confusion in this troubled time.

Can artists resurrect and dive into a bigger void, a black hole of uncertainty? Will this troubled time have a next page, how far and deep can it cost us or take us beyond our means?

To my fellow artists in BC: in your dreams may courage and strength always live.