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Acrylic-bob · 02-02-2006, 20:06

Presumably this was all arranged by the four who have lost their jobs. If that is an example of the best that can be made of an Arts Council Grant and council funding, then I have to say that it is probably better for the borough that they have gone.

Not one of the events listed above would entice me to venture from the comfort of my armchair - even if I was so bored that I was reduced to counting the number of times HBC used the word "inclusive" on its website in the attempt at finding some mental stimulation.

Facts must be faced, the people of Accrington and the wider borough have little understanding or appreciation of the Arts. Thus it can come as little surprise to find that HBC, as representative of the people, similarly has little understanding and appreciation. HBC mismanages Haworth Art Gallery, not because it cannot afford it, funding can be found but, because it does not understand what it is for. It has tried various roles for the Haworth and its collections, the latest being part of the Accrington tourist haven idea, and all have inefectually petered out into insignificance. It understands that the collections have a monetary value but that is about as far as the understanding goes. Concepts of the necessity of conservation, access, display and explanation are lost on them. This is why they sold off the Ashton-Frost steam engine and also why the Oak Hill Collections were dispersed.

Why do people in Accrington have such an ingrained resistance to the influence of High Arts and Culture? Mainly, because they are not taught that it is a legitimate adult pursuit. "Art" is something you do at school on wet afternoons with sugar paper and poster paint. It is diametrically opposed to the prevailing protestant work ethic. That is why whenever public art is proposed the project is always given to schoolchildren, who produce dismal and apalling mosaics.

Is there a way out of this situation? Probably not, unless we give way to tyrants like ELP and the North-West Development Agency who are prepared to impose art on the borough...and foot the bill. Other than that, I am afraid, it will continue to be more of the same.

02-02-2006, 20:06	#110
Acrylic-bob God Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tragic Conn Posts: 4,007 Blog Entries: 15 Liked: 3 times Rep Power: 2473	Re: I almost daren't post this... Presumably this was all arranged by the four who have lost their jobs. If that is an example of the best that can be made of an Arts Council Grant and council funding, then I have to say that it is probably better for the borough that they have gone. Not one of the events listed above would entice me to venture from the comfort of my armchair - even if I was so bored that I was reduced to counting the number of times HBC used the word "inclusive" on its website in the attempt at finding some mental stimulation. Facts must be faced, the people of Accrington and the wider borough have little understanding or appreciation of the Arts. Thus it can come as little surprise to find that HBC, as representative of the people, similarly has little understanding and appreciation. HBC mismanages Haworth Art Gallery, not because it cannot afford it, funding can be found but, because it does not understand what it is for. It has tried various roles for the Haworth and its collections, the latest being part of the Accrington tourist haven idea, and all have inefectually petered out into insignificance. It understands that the collections have a monetary value but that is about as far as the understanding goes. Concepts of the necessity of conservation, access, display and explanation are lost on them. This is why they sold off the Ashton-Frost steam engine and also why the Oak Hill Collections were dispersed. Why do people in Accrington have such an ingrained resistance to the influence of High Arts and Culture? Mainly, because they are not taught that it is a legitimate adult pursuit. "Art" is something you do at school on wet afternoons with sugar paper and poster paint. It is diametrically opposed to the prevailing protestant work ethic. That is why whenever public art is proposed the project is always given to schoolchildren, who produce dismal and apalling mosaics. Is there a way out of this situation? Probably not, unless we give way to tyrants like ELP and the North-West Development Agency who are prepared to impose art on the borough...and foot the bill. Other than that, I am afraid, it will continue to be more of the same. __________________ Enough is ENOUGH Get Britain out of Europe Last edited by Acrylic-bob; 02-02-2006 at 20:09.