[Acrylic-bob]

I have a problem with all this Quango directed, lottery funded, liberal, social engineering 'ARTS' drivel.

And my problem is that, despite making an awful lot of noise and providing employment for those among us who cannnot create wealth but merely consume it, it leaves behind it very little of any intrinsic worth. It's aims and scope are short term. And, despite the arguments of its proponents to the contrary, delivered at mindnumbing length and with wearying enthusiasm, it does very little to equip anyone in its target audience to do anything of any significance once the funding has run out and the the focus shifts to the next set of government dictated targets.

The current jamboree, kicked off with the Liverpool City of Culture extravaganza and, according to the Arts Council England, North West's Mission Statement, the three years from 2008-2011 are about "great art for everyone".

And so, as a result of a successful bid, £1.6 million has been allocated to Hyndburn and will now be spent refurbishing the Civic Theatre and also has to ensure the delivery of the governments directive that "all children and young people will have the chance to engage in at least five hours a week of high-quality culture in and out of school".

I have no argument with the premise that the vast majority of our children are uncultured brats, I see more than enough evidence of that on a daily basis. But I do not see how the aims of "great art for everyone" and "at least five hours a week of high-quality culture " can be delivered for what amounts to no more than £18.82 per person in the borough, over a three year period.

In a report in The Telegraph on 18/09/2008, the plans for the theatre were said to envisage that "the area would be mainly used for drama, dance, music and film but could also be used by youth groups, activity classes such as yoga, children’s karate groups or by school drama classes.The downstairs area would be transformed with a new day and night cafe bar and an opened-up foyer as well as an office for the new theatre staff. The building as a whole would have disabled access throughout, including access back stage."

So now we know what constitutes "High Quality Culture" and "Great Art for Everyone" in the borough of Hyndburn: the same as what we had before only this time with a new bar and disabled access. And what happens to the place once the circus has moved on and re-decoration or new equipment are needed?

I don't want Gayle to think that I am unappreciative of her efforts, I am not. I wish we had more like her - really, I do. It's just that creativity cannot be commanded. Government Dictat does not create ART nor do committees. Giving a kid access to a video camera might keep him or her occupied for a little while but, it will never produce the next Ingmar Bergman.