Fulfilling the aspirations of those who were satisfied with what normal was would mean reopening cultural institutions that absorb most of the resources and status, but reach perhaps 10% of the population. That's not on the menu, says François Matarasso.
The Covid-19 pandemic is very far from over. Indeed, despite the optimistic declarations of some politicians, no one knows where we are in relation to a disease we’re still learning about. But two or three months of lockdown have put an immense strain on everyone, and brought our economies to a juddering halt. That is having a terrible effect on people’s lives, as jobs are lost and businesses close. Millions are now fearful of losing what little security they have. So governments are right to look for ways of reviving economic life and getting us back to work. There is animated debate about how to do that, but much less about what world we want, when we’re finally allowed to leave our homes. In this, as so often, the small world of culture is a microcosm of wider society.
Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Culture announced the creation of a Cultural Renewal Taskforce under his chairmanship, a step that deserves credit... Keep reading on Francois Matarasso's blog