I actually totally reject the – indie artists just need to accept reality and make do with what they have argument though – although I am glad to have more discussion and debate on the blog again.

If we accomplish one darn thing with this site, I hope it will be promoting the idea that culture and artists are all part of an ecosystem. That indie artists are an integral part of that system – and that if you are truly a believer in culture at the corporate and gov’t level you would obviously support the area where ideas and innovation are born.

Also a lot of crap is born there too. But it’s a package deal. There will be a lot of failed experiments before they harness solar power efficiently but I have confidence they will get there eventually.

I agree with your basic assessment of the economic conundrum facing indie theatre. I’m pretty sure increased corporate taxation just got taken off the table for oh, say, 1/2 a decade though. Increased philanthropy is always a help, but also comes with a whole host of problems.

I think I Canada in particular with the convergence of media and digital content mega-corporations has increasingly less venues for voices that challenge the status quo. If the ability to green light art becomes more entrenched with those with money and power I’m going to argue that’s a bad thing for freedom of expression.

Nevertheless, off the top of my head: Moliere, Stanislavsky, Shakespeare, (Maybe time to add Kushner to this list?) all negotiated censorship by powerful funders through creative means and it is a dance we must all dance different moves to to varying degrees.

Perhaps we need a new funding model. In our Theatre community in Toronto we have many artists. Most shows don’t nor can consider Box office as part of their revenue because they play to such small houses and can only charge so much for sitting on a bench in a BackSpace. With only 50 odd seats at an avg ticket price of $20 can you afford to pay for 3- 5 weeks of rehearsal of a few actors and stage mangers, commission a script, hire designers build a set rent equipment etc? Obviously Not! So we seek arts council funding but we MIGHT not get what we need? I am the proud owner of a lot of equipment because I had to make it happen Council funding or not. We are all doing this and in part devaluing our selves and our art form. I am sure visual artists can say the same as can muscians, dancers, writers etc.

Perhaps we need a new Philanthropic approach. Increase Corporate Taxes but offer nearly 100% off any Philanthropic donation. As it stands now there is very little incentive for a corporation or even a wealthy person to give to the Arts or Artists.

Just my 2 pence
Ben

Also – here’s the Facebook Event for Shannon’s talk:

I’ve never heard of “flow through”, but I’m not surprised.

I’m also glad to bring up the question of “Arts Funding” vs “Artist Funding.” As governments mix tourism, culture and urban development into the same matrix – one seems to be going up while the other goes down.