Hands On Our Arts (2/2) By Fiona Carr

(1/2), (2/2).

We all know the arts controversies over the years; however and at least people have had a chance to express their opinions on The Chippendales/leaking condoms at the Ferens etc. Since however every time the Government set up, or the previous Labour Council set up, various quangoes to run things in Hull one thing has been common. Most of 'the great and the good' do not live in Hull, nor have they any link with the average man in the street ... or the seats!

I do not decry the works, efforts, sincerity, or commitment of the names we may just hear about - the Mike Killorans, Julian Wildes, Jim Dicks, Adam Wassermans, Ken Baldwins, John Meehans etc - but when did you last see one in the street or at your pub? Do you know where they live? Can you make them listen? Some councilors may well be pants at their job, but at least they can be found and many others are good - in all parties. It is an interesting concept that the Council, sometimes described as being pretty bad, always gets praised for the Cultural Service section. While most of the council struggles along on one or two of these star things, Culture is invariably at three.

So it, along with certain socials services, is the best bit of the council ... and they want to get rid of it (meanwhile appalling services like the housing service which has condemned many to years of misery, and is assessed as one/two star the council are determined to hang on to.)! Great thinking lads, keep the dross and chuck away the good bits, that'll make you popular!

We have seen the collapse of Hull Art Lab, we saw Hull Time Based Arts closed down for perceived misdemeanors, and various other groups struggle on a knife edge.

Whatever we think of some of the programming surely the view we should be taking could be parodied in 'no art is an island, centre to itself, each cut diminishes me, so send not to ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee'. Should this wadge of cultural life be removed from our ready scrutiny? Can we be certain that trusts will not have a view towards bottom line only?

Nobody pretends the Council is perfect, but this 'privatisation by stealth' needs resisting and the powers that be should be held to account and asked to explain themselves to us, their employers. No hole in the corner plotting, let us expose this to the laser beam of public scrutiny.

It's our service, we can debate the quality later but if we do not keep the service in our hands the men in suits will not allow us a debate later on.

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