Then what is needed is not huge wank projects that only benefit the 'friends of Ken' but smaller local events, run on a cheaper basis and more accessible. There is a halfway house between local authority corporatism and private sector corporatism.
but a lot of those events are small local events and seeing as many of them are in London parks and are free then they are pretty accessible - you certainly see plenty of people attending who arent from the specified ethnic group
they are far from huge wank projects that only benefit friends of ken, they benefit people like me with kids who cant afford a lot of what London has to offer and appreciate a free day out
many of them were there before Ken and whilst he's always attempted to dominate anything he got his hands on they were all fairly independant
sure a few trots and trade unionists might speak, but thats because a lot of those events also received funding from trade unions, most if not all are funded by other sources as well as the GLA, including in some cases corporate sponsorship
Ten grand is probably a drop in the ocean to people like Jeremy Joseph etc so why don't these rich bar and club owners stick their hands in their pockets? After all they have benefiteed for years from public money bringing theri punters in to the area.
as Ive just said, he may well contribute already, but if he chooses not to then the event will end if Boris gets his way. Thats the point about corporate sponsorship, it means that business men, not Londoners get to decide the cultural life of London
I've no problem with arts funding but I do agree a disproportionate amount of funding goes to the ROH etc. Boris btw doesn't need a cheap ticket. Joe Soap who may only have got into opera from hearing it on the radio or on an advert also deserves the right to see this art form does need a cheap ticket.
except there arent any cheap tickets, although i take your point
but if youve no problem with arts funding then why do you have a problem with supporting events like those listed, which bring diverse and interesting art to an audience that would often never see it and provide a way for everyone, regardless of how much cash they have, a chance to engage with their own and others cultural heritage
That is very much a short sighted view of the situation.
I dont see why, these events provide good value for money and in the general scheme of things cost very little, Id be surprised if total funding is more than a couple of million a year (most of that going to RISE and Mela which you say youd keep), so for less than a penny a week Londoners get a year round programme of free events
its also worth mentioning that theres a whole economy based around these events from stall holders, production staff and security which will no doubt suffer because of this decision as will the local business owners etc who get a boost in trade
well spotted!
are you admitting it?
