I have finally got over the jet lag after being in the US for a week blogging at the World Social Enterprise Conference 2010 in San Francisco. Public art everywhere and a highlight was going to SFMOMA (Museum of Modern Art) to see works by Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Lichenstein and Jeff Koons - Michael Jackson and chimp statue. Gawdy but great!
So, does Social Enterprise have anything to offer the arts. I think so.
In fact art is often a key ingredient and engagement tool for working with some of the most disadvantaged people and communities throughout the world. It has also served as a mechanism for profiling cultural issues, such as current exhibition to raise funds to save 10 Murray Street in Hobart.
Issues such as homelessness, abuse, racism and poverty continue to be tackled by rock stars, painters, performers and writers. Cultural communities across Australia have been experiencing the gentrification of once raw urban arts incubators. The value of artists, musicians, performers and writers in attracting commercial interest and greater house prices is well documented. This is supported by the recent increase in Collingwood homes that are close to the successful Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.
So how do we take the next step and continue to value creative thinking and ideas? I have my own ideas, but what about you?
where might I be able to find some of these house-price increasing artists? The last ones I tried left red wine stains and cigarette burns on the carpet and left a mess in the sink, not to mention an enormous phone bill. Who calls Namibia for Pete's sake?
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