The last three years I have been following the arts and culture struggle in my own country, the Netherlands, and also in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and a little bit in Australia and Canada. They all, more or less, have the same challenges with regard to arts and cultural advocacy. And I wouldn't be surprised if this is true for other countries as well. Yes, often the same challenges, but other national responses to those challenges. Every country with their own specific tradition in dealing with arts and cultural advocacy.
If arts and culture is our universal language, why not connect the different (international) arts and culture movements? A shared commitment for a shared passion and conviction. For me personally, arts and cultural advocacy will have its most powerful effect if artists are really involved and participating.
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to globalize the arts and culture movements from its roots. A chance for artists and arts advocates worldwide to connect and create a beautiful future together. The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and the English Arts Council are establishing a 'Grand Partnership' for arts and culture, for the United Kingdom mind you. I say let's make it a 'Great Grand Partnership' by making it a worldwide partnership. Please watch their presentation.
We can learn a lot from the diversity in advocacy approaches in different countries, as well as from the different arguments that are used by them. The challenge is to make one big picture of all the puzzle pieces we have. To make the case for arts and culture together. A masterpiece.
Let all artists and arts advocates join in this 'Great Grand Partnership for Arts and Culture.' Let's show the world that arts and culture doesn't know of or have any boundaries. That arts and culture have this extraordinary power to connect us all worldwide, while at the same time having respect for and interest in our cultural differences. A collective leadership existing out of individual creative leaders and supporters.
To get things started see some wonderful eye-opening presentations by artists and arts advocates, which you can find here -- Inspirational thoughts and feelings by John Cleese, Annie Lennox, Neil Gaiman, Amanda Palmer, Leonard Nimoy, Leonard Cohen, Kevin Spacey, Wynton Marsalis, Meryl Streep, Bruce Springsteen, J.K. Rowling, Whoopi Goldberg, Alain de Botton and many others. And please share your inspiration in the comment box below. Let's begin now! A Great Grand Partnership for Arts and Culture.