Poor Arts. Seemingly forever tricked out to appear elitist or immoral, she is the face that launched the 30-year culture wars, which continue today. In the Congressional debate about the economic stimulus plan, there she was, just weeks ago, trotted out on the public stage to represent all that is fat and bloated. Republican politicians sneered as their Democratic counterparts recoiled at the sight of what they have come to regard as a toxic amenity.

Two months ago, the world celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 27 states: “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Despite 30 years of self-serving political trickery and defamation, there persists a robust egalitarian Arts practice, no more luxurious than democracy itself. Let’s focus the spotlight there.

– Dudley Cocke

Published: Issue 1, Summer 2009