Art

I have been a culture hound the majority of my life. Museums, books, movies, music, and physical art (paintings, ceramics, materials, etc.). I can’t get enough.

This past weekend, considering it was 9 degrees when I woke up on Saturday morning, and we actually got a mega snowstorm, I have been digging into movies, which are now so easy to watch from our couches. I have watched old films, new films and plenty of docs.

Art represents culture. Films tell stories of a time, and that visual experience sticks with me. It also speaks loudly of the importance of art in society. I do not and never will understand why art – and that is a big umbrella – isn’t supported more by our government. Everyone can create art, but there are certain people who must create art; it is who they are, and we make it so hard for them to survive. Why?

The UK government is investing 1.5 billion pounds in arts and culture from 2025 to 2030, to revitalize museums, libraries, and heritage sites. The Arts Council England’s strategy is to create a truly creative nation. They want to support creative people, cultural communities, and a culturally creative country. There are a variety of initiatives planned, such as “What If,” using digital and environmental bases to drive change.

England has been around since the 10th century, so it is worth noting where we could eventually go. Culture and education cultivate artistic people, giving everyone an opportunity to be mentally productive every day. As we move into a more automated society and a stable, intelligent government emerges in the US, leaning into the arts is long overdue.