French Culture - Private vs. Public Funded Culture?

Alan Riding’s story (No Stumping for Culture in the French Presidnetial Election)in NY Times March 14th Arts Section stated that the French government spends 3.8 billion on the arts per year - which is 30 times more thatn the Natl. Endowment of the Arts budget, but he asks the question - are the French getting their moneys’ worth? He goes on to compare two sorts of art cultures that exist - the state subsidized culture and the independent/commercial art culture.

He also compared the British cultural scene its French counterpart with the suggestion that the French arts are stagnating in comparison. I wonder what French artists would have to say in response to Ridings’ story.

One thing is certain - from a tourist’s point of view - being able to go to most London museums for free is a nice thing - but I ‘m not sure that free museum visiits translates into creating a stimulating art environment.
Great artists have thrived in France in spite of the age old system - of recognized state sponsored artists and the free thinkers or risk takers - who continue to do their thing regardless of what is accepted to the formal salons. It would be interesting to see a follow up to this story to find out more about where young French artists are living these days - have they chosen to stay in France - or have some of them moved to other parts of the world? This is definitely a subject that deserves more attention.

(It would also be helpful to get out of Paris and see what’s happening in cities like Lille where there may be much more ‘risk-taking’ going on compared to Paris.)

By Parisgirl | Permalink

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