Julianna Yau’s blog

Michael Geist picked up on an article which argues for e-petitions to have more weight in politics. And although I have signed a few e-petitions and joined many Facebook groups, I still have misgivings about the nature of click votes and petitions in general.

Matthew Ingram has reflected upon the usefulness of click votes in response to the CBC’s Great Canadian Wish List which was generated on Facebook. Even today, I marvelled at the fact that one of my friends on Facebook joined 45,853 other fans (as of the writing of this post) of the Heath Ledger Memorial page, while Geist’s heavily advertised Fair Copyright for Canada group sits at 39,470 members (and Facebook tells me that there are 374 new members…and I have yet to figure out the time span used to calculate a “new” member), and my little
Canada needs a public inquiry into copyright! group reports 1 fewer member, totalling at 114 members. Does this really mean that more people care about Ledger’s tragic death than fair copyright for Canada? Or that 39,356 people who think we should have fair copyright in Canada don’t think Canada needs a public inquiry for copyright? I certainly wouldn’t use the numbers from a Facebook group or page as the source of statistics for any real purpose.

I don’t think the issue is with fraudulent votes or signatures. Like traditional petitions, fraudulent signatures are a problem, but so is the value of the petition itself. As I have stated before, it is entirely too easy to sign something. I really do believe that, unless someone is actively against something, when asked to show support by doing something easy like signing a petition, they are likely to do so. That does not necessarily mean they understand the issues enough to be making a real decision, or that they truly care enough to do something real about it.

Hot off the presses!:

Collective Agenda for the Visual Arts

Visual Arts Summit, Ottawa, November 2007
Art is the face of Canada.

We, as artists, curators, collectors, dealers, educators and supporters, are united to enhance the opportunities for Canadian art to be created, seen, understood and enjoyed. We came together in the largest gathering of the visual arts in our history, to proclaim the critical role of the visual arts in an innovative and compassionate society in the 21^st century. We know what is needed: we call on the governments, nations and peoples of Canada to join us in realizing our potential.

The visual arts community acts within an increasingly complex environment, with stagnant or shrinking resources. The growth in public engagement with the visual arts is not reflected in government policies or support. Canadian artists, galleries and museums have been starved for too long. Too many people work in the visual arts without an adequate livelihood or long-term security.

The lack of vigorous and consistent policy, particularly from the federal government, is unacceptable. The visual arts provide a high level of service while receiving an unjustly low level of support from most government agencies and departments. In a time of global challenges calling for dialogue and understanding, the Canadian government has cut support for our international cultural profile. The unique and diverse character of Canada is under threat. The visual arts offer the best opportunity to counter this threat. It is time to recognize the place of visual arts at the centre of society.

We commit ourselves to work together:

• To satisfy the public’s growing demand for participation in visual culture;
• To communicate the sector’s needs with a united voice;
• To provide a secure livelihood for artists;
• To acknowledge the varied cultures of the indigenous peoples of this land;
• To reflect the diversity of our society; and
• To strengthen the institutions that advance the visual arts.

With a united voice, we advocate:

1. To create a new alliance across the sector, to advance the position of the visual arts;
2. To engage public appreciation for, and connection with, visual arts in all their forms;
3. To provide stronger and stable support to artists and to the individuals and institutions that present, preserve and interpret the work they create;
4. To establish a dedicated fund for the payment of artists for the public exhibition of their works;
5. To increase investment in arts education for all ages and from all levels of government;
6. To provide dedicated support for Aboriginal arts; and
7. To recognize and support the leading role of visual arts in strengthening Canada’s international profile.

We envision a Canada that embraces creativity in all its dimensions. We believe in art that challenges us, deepens our understanding, and bridges our differences. Visual arts build a more tolerant, diverse and creative world.
Show your support, sign the statement here, and forward the link to your colleagues:
www.petitiononline.com/visarts/petition.html

For more information:
Canadian Museums Association
613-567-0099
info@museums.ca
www.museums.ca
www.visualartssummit.ca

Summit Partners:
Aboriginal Curatorial Collective: www.aboriginalcuratorialcollective.org
Art Dealers Association of Canada: www.ad-ac.ca
Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference: www.arccc-cccaa.org
Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC): www.carfac.ca
Canadian Education Association: www.cea-ace.ca
Canadian Museums Association: www.museums.ca
Canadian Art Museum Directors’ Organization: www.camdo.ca
Independent Media Arts Alliance: www.imaa.ca
Royal Canadian Academy of Arts: www.rca-arc.ca