ArtsProfessional: I went to a local comprehensive in a heavily industrialised coal mining town. I am forever grateful that an accident of fate forged my career: I was given free music lessons. The grim realities of mining and its economic uncertainties shaped the whole community.
That large cohorts of children in 1970s Leicestershire would transcend those circumstances through free music education - some going on to become eminent in the profession - left a lasting mark on me.
3 comments:
A week or two ago, I was reading a chapter in a textbook for my Latin American Politics class. In the chapter I was reading, it was explaining how a certain country’s anti-communist military and politics (can’t think of it off the top of my head) had banned their citizens from reading Les Mis because they feared the citizens would revolt. Art is powerful. So powerful that this country had to censor it because of the disruption it could cause. I haven’t heard of this concept of “artistic citizenship” before reading this article. Now after reading it, I agree that arts education and training can teach artists to bring about change and better the world. Art provokes emotion, music tugs at the heart, and through art we look at the world around us differently. It is a voice in the darkness and says what we need to say when words just aren’t enough.
This discussion and article is so interesting and inspiring. The idea of art is more than being beautiful and pleasing is some thing that I have always believed in since creating different artworks in theater. Art has always been an such important factor many major social movement and changes due to how impactful it is and how it could be widely spread in societies. The idea of artistic citizenship is such a fascinating and interesting concept where it gives artists a citizenship, which is often something that we are born with or gained through going through difficult journeys. By giving citizenships, it seems that artists have form their own nation, which is something powerful, impactful and independent. The choice of word and title is such a fascinating and innovative way to think about artiste’s positions and power in societies. The mention of free educational courses is also something that I think is kind where it allows all kids to have artistic experience and build their own empire.
I think the question of whether artistic citizenship can be taught is a complex one that requires a nuanced understanding of the relationship between art and society. While it is possible to teach certain skills and techniques that are relevant to artistic citizenship, such as community organizing or cultural diplomacy, it is more difficult to instill the attitudes and perspectives that underlie effective artistic citizenship. These qualities, such as empathy, creativity, and social responsibility, are often developed through personal experiences and exposure to different cultural practices.
It is also important to consider the impact of artistic citizenship on both the artist and the community. Engaging with the community through artistic practice can be transformative for both parties, leading to increased social cohesion, cultural exchange, and collective action. However, it is important to recognize that artistic citizenship can also be fraught with power imbalances and cultural appropriation. Therefore, it is essential to approach artistic citizenship with a critical and reflexive attitude, being mindful of the ethical implications of one's artistic practice.
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