I am not permitted to share my opinion on arts funding in BC, but I am enjoying this exchange in the Times Colonist:

Marcus Handman was executive director of the Victoria Symphony until 2008, when he jumped ship to the film industry. Handman says arts organizations should suck it up and increase efficiency. Mitchell Krieger has a background in opera and was managing an American playhouse until he replaced Handman at the Symphony. Krieger says the government shouldn’t cut funding.

I’d like to expand on Krieger’s historical references, though:

• Ancient Greek plays were mostly exhibited in religious festivals. Since Athens was a theocracy this could be considered government funding.
• In Mozart’s early career he was a court musician but he is famous for not having a patron: his prime source of income was public ticket sales, which proved insufficient for his lifestyle.
• Beethoven’s patron was Cardinal Rudolf.
• Shakespeare’s patrons were aristocrats, effectively the government in feudal times.
• Almost all Michelangelo’s commissions were of the Church but he also produced art for upper-middle class individuals. David was, ironically, commissioned by a textile business association.

After the last provincial election, which had a turnout just above 50%, Elections BC commissioned a voter engagement survey. The most interesting data is about people who didn’t vote, although of course their responses can’t be trusted:

54% of non-voters believe their vote “matters” compared to 84% of voters. 43% of non-voters believe the outcome of the election had a “direct effect” on them compared to 70% of voters. 96% of voters believe it is important that people vote, but 76% of non-voters agree, 52% strongly.

Some highlights from non-voter responses:

Why didn’t you vote?

• 35% personal circumstances
  • 18% busy
  • 6% out of town but not out of province (BC has the most flexible absentee voting system in Canada, but not everyone knows that)
• 29% disengaged
  • 7% sceptical of politics
  • 7% didn’t like candidates
  • 7% wasn’t interested
  • 5% didn’t like parties
• 16% lack of knowledge
  • 9% didn’t know enough about platforms
• 7% pessimistic (the best reason not to vote)
  • 5% voting doesn’t matter
  • 2% outcome certain
• 6% forgot

What’s the #1 thing that could be improved?

• 26% education (no agency in BC has a mandate for voter education – Elections BC does it for the lolz)
  • 3% information about candidates & platforms
  • 1% more opportunity to meet candidates
• 16% voting process
  • 9% compulsory voting
  • 2% electronic voting
  • 2% online voting
• 7% change electoral system

What would make you more likely to vote?

• 34% different political parties
• 13% more campaign information
• 2% different candidates, platforms or issues
• 2% different political system
• 2% online voting