“Decisions have to be made by real economists who can recognise the value of our cultural assets at a time of financial, technological, environmental and cultural change, not by number-crunching accountants looking to make a quick saving.” Lyn Gardner in today’s Guardian.
Not much to disagree with there, but the real danger for the arts is the assumption that “real economists” will come out on the side of the arts. What’s needed is a dialogue – as clearly spelt out here – and that might require a little more humility on the side of the arts, as well as a more intelligent approach to cultural economics.
Graham Hitchen 