Art dances while the government plays

Sat 07 Nov, 2009

What is the agenda behind community art? Readers respond

Sir,

As a practising visual artist who also works in community art, I found ‘The art of the state’ very interesting and agreed with much of it.

However, I am not sure I agree with your assessment of community arts. I do think there is a definite agenda behind the current vogue for insisting that all art must ‘address social need’, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it is about masking economic division, more about making the arts dance to their tune and political point scoring. I personally think the ‘sector’ (I’m with you on the issue of terminology, but it’s accepted now) isn’t offering enough of challenge to it and will find itself suffering in the 2011 budget as a result.

Yours etc.,
Name and address supplied,
Ireland

Note: forth does not publish anonymous letters – you must supply your name, location and a valid reason for withholding

Sir,

I take your point about politicised art but don’t understand your objections. You seem to favour the politicisation of everything else, from drug policy to the economy, so why not culture?

Yours etc.,
Ciarán Martin,
Dublin