We do not want to seem derogatory about enthusiasm which is a quality we admire greatly but just occasionally it does not stand up to the harsh glare of reality.
The latest example to catch our eye is the group Action for Children's Arts. who appear to consist of a group of enthusiasts. In a recent conference, they argued that as children up to the age of 12 made up 15% of the country's population, so 15% should be adopted as a benchmark for their fair share of public funding of the arts.
It is hard to disagree with the proposal that children should be recognised in cultural programming. But let's unpack the proposal in a bit more detail. Is childhood not a time when the balance between learning and doing should be tipped in favour of the former? Producing or showing works which appeal to, and/or are comprehensible to children, is one thing but the small print suggests that '15% of the total budget on performance or exhibition of original work by children'.
Ouch! This goes further than the original proposition. Yet again, one tiny word suggests a different agenda: one of setting a stage for children to show off their skills and receive notice and praise, rather than offering something for them to experience or admire.
No doubt arts providers will now have to fill in yet another form quantifying the level of provision for and by children, taking valuable time away from 'doing' things for all audiences. And help me out, how do we quantify what is 'for children' when one produces something for a general or family market? Is Harry Potter a children's book or a family story?
We look forward to the National Gallery and British Museum devoting 15% of their budgets to works by children. That will set a good example for us all to follow.
And at least they did not talk about 'kids'.
