It is also plain scary how David Pecault continues to get money “out of the blue” from government. What’s the story with that guy anyway? Could somebody at CBC please get on that?

But the principle of a worldwide prize is interesting. It would help put Canada on the global art map in a way that could help Canadian artists develop international careers. Certainly the grant system is failing, as the decreasing incomes of artists indicates. There are more and more artists (or at least artists who are telling Statistics Canada that they are artists) among whom available funding is spread thinner and thinner.

Maybe the prize isn’t the thing, but something “outside the box” is needed right now.

Maybe not… if we import it! (just like films…)

Yeah, tourism… (25 mil for hotels and NPO organizers and import culture)

Sorry, but the more I hear about it, the worse it tastes.

This is now the top rated entertainment story on CBC:
Canada Prize for the Arts ignites fury in Quebec

There is also a link to the Prize being discussed today wirth Jian Ghomeshi on Q off the CBC page.

One thing I have to say: In my mind this is not a Toronto vs Montreal issue or francophone vs anglophone issue. This is about a government to appear to be responsive to the needs of Canadian culture, while failing miserably at this goal.

The comments on the Globe article show why we have this disparity. We still haven’t made the case for the value of what we do. Hopefully this study by the Ontario government will help in that regard.