I recently read an article in the Globe and Mail by John Doyle about the TV and the Arts and I cannot stop thinking about it.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/whither-the-arts-on-tv-nowhere/article1792244/
It's true, TV has done a lot for "low art," if we're talking in binaries. Shows like So You Think You Can Dance, MuchMusic, MTV and other TV drama series have all given us a healthy dose of low art. But what about high art? I didn't occur to me until I read this article how little is available on TV because I always associate the high arts outside of the box, not in it.
In the television world it's simple- if you have high ratings the show stays on the air and people by commercial air time, if not you're off. Knowing that the arts capture roughly 20% of the populace- and that includes the polar populations- how can TV help to boost this number in a do or die industry. Like I keep saying, the key to appreciating any art form is understanding and exposure and with television you have huge chance to do just that. Networks have been slashing arts television shows or creating niche channels for those who are interested to watch. Shows like Opening Night and other arts focused just don’t exist anymore. So what can we as an arts community do?
Well, it's going to have to start with top management at a television network who believes in the arts. More importantly the art community needs to rally together and demand quality arts programming be reinstated. There is a desperate need for the arts, especially in rural communities where actually going to an arts event is difficult. We know that the arts have a positive impact on socialization and learning and it needs to be spread throughout areas that have historically been under-arts-privileged. TV is one common denominator that most Canadians have. Though not everyone will watch the high arts medium it would be accessible to a far wider range of people!
No comments:
Post a Comment