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For two organisations featured in ArtsProfessional this week, the answer to the question ??but is it art?? has significant implications.
The Charity Commission (p1) has to judge the artistic merit of a collection in order to pronounce on an organisation?s eligibility for charitable status. The Commission states its role is to ??ensure that charitable museums and art galleries benefit the public. They cannot do this if their exhibitions have no merit.? So how does it define ?merit?? It has cleverly evaded the answer by referring such debates to ?experts? in this field, and sensibly it promises to be ?inclusive? in its judgements when controversy remains. Presumably, the Arts Council of England (ACE) is numbered among the ?experts? it may wish to consult on such matters; but ACE has to face its own difficulties whenever the ??but is it art?? debate surfaces. Adrienne Skelton (p8) explains that ACE?s latest research project includes a broader range of artform categories than ever before ? now including digital arts, carnival, street arts and circus, and cultural festivals. Unsurprisingly, we learn that going out to see a film at a cinema or other venue is still the most widespread activity. But is this art? Undoubtedly ?yes? if you?ve all been to see the likes of ?Amélie?; but what if you went to see ?Spiderman? and nothing else? Does that count too? And why only ?at a cinema or other venue?? What if you saw ?Lagaan? on TV? Does that count? And if so, then what about ?Notting Hill?? Of course, there are no ?right? answers, and as any researcher will tell you, definitions must fit the purpose they serve. The problem is that whilst Government purposes may favour ?inclusive? definitions that put a positive gloss on the impact of arts spending, these definitions may be less well suited to those who seek to create artistic provision and attract audiences and visitors.