Diverse View started as a forum for critical debate and to celebrate new work on cultural diversity. However, the focus of the revised blog is on practical outcomes which matter – jobs, employment, impact on the quality of life and the role of culture generally in economic development, while diversity will also feature. The more accurate meanings of diversity here will be ‘variety, range, scope and span’.
What Diverse View is not:
- It is not a publication of a lobby or pressure group, even if any prospective reader felt that there was a need for one. That is a separate decision.
- It is not mouthpiece of a ‘trade association’of successful or failing providers.
- It does not set out to exclude any cultural group. Instead it is aimed at drawing contribution from experienced observers and commentators who understand the creative market for culture in the economy.
- It is not an anti-establishment lobby, for some of us are now part of the establishment.
- It is not a ‘whinge-whinge’ group! While every arts organisation, city or region would like to attract more funding, the track records of leading organisations and investors will speak for them
- It does not aim to represent all agencies in the debate.
- It does not replace our commitment to cultural diversity. We are all committed to diversity and will want to continue to support cross-cultural arts development and programming.
What Diverse View hopes to achieve:
- There is scope for evaluating the success of culture in the economy and deciding how it can be more influential in shaping the future.
- There is scope for getting involved in policy making and the development of strategy
- There is scope for working in cross-cutting partnerships with other groups but by adding value to partnerships. This can be achieved better if we recognise that we have a task of evaluating and sharing our knowledge.
- This is the time for talking confidently to leaders who are investing in the economy – chief executives and board members of organisations which have an impact.
- This is the time for influencing policy and development of local authorities’ cultural programmes.
- This is a good time to influence the planners of the London Olympics 2012 by presenting a unified and supportive approach.
- A well co-ordinated and effective critical debate can be more influential and effective.
If you have supported my thesis so far, we can still share a common platform for change, development and consolidation.
