Native talks to cultural economist Diane Ragsdale about changes in the arts and society over the last thirty years.
Tandi: You’ve worked in the arts in various capacities since 1988, how do you think the relationship of the arts to society has changed in recent years?
Diane: Over the last 30 years, several changes in society have made things more challenging for arts organisations. On a basic level, there has been a loss in the sense of legitimacy. Many arts organisations in Europe and in the US came into their power and bloomed in a time when it was taken for granted that the arts were important and a key part of civil society. We are increasingly put in the position of needing to defend the value of the arts... Keep reading on Native
Tandi: You’ve worked in the arts in various capacities since 1988, how do you think the relationship of the arts to society has changed in recent years?
Diane: Over the last 30 years, several changes in society have made things more challenging for arts organisations. On a basic level, there has been a loss in the sense of legitimacy. Many arts organisations in Europe and in the US came into their power and bloomed in a time when it was taken for granted that the arts were important and a key part of civil society. We are increasingly put in the position of needing to defend the value of the arts... Keep reading on Native