Thursday, November 09, 2006

Complete the circle

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your grant application there are several things that you can do.
you can apply again later
you can be upset about other people who got the money
you can be disheartened and give up
the list goes on....

However...

There is one thing that you can do that has the potential to have a long term impact. You can book a meeting with your local Member of Parliament and tell them all about it.
I know it seems radical.
But you just call them and do it, it's called democracy, they have to listen you are their electorate!

So what do you say?
You need to tell them whatever your concerns are. Tell them about your project. Tell them why it matters to you, why it is important to society. Most importantly tell them that the only solution is to increase the funding for dance.

This completes the circle. The government gives funding to the arts, the artists give feedback to the government on their
funding policies.

Will it make a difference? Only if we do it. And then only maybe if lots of us do it. One thing is certain, it is more productive than being upset about not getting funded.

The goal is not to attack. The goal is to create an advocate for dance. We can do this by communicating our genuine passion, commitment and belief in what we do.

maybe...just maybe....