Why Art is Not A Luxury

Want art? Pay for it yourself.

That was the resounding, if disturbing, cry of many readers in response to a recent column about Parkdale Street Writers, a free writing workshop for youth ages 16 to 25.

Many of you decried the idea that a penny of public money can go to support such programs. One reader compared funding the arts to buying booze at the LCBO when you’re on a limited income.

Despite the misconception that artists are all somehow bloated dabblers living off the public purse, the vast majority of artists go it alone. They do not write a song or paint a picture or lead a workshop for money and fame. They do not do it for a government cheque.

“It has to be about more than dollars and cents,” says Claudio Chiodo, 34, a Toronto actor and producer. “You do it because you can’t not do it. There’s a part of my heart that doesn’t function when I’m not creating art.”

Chiodo and his partners, Julian Dezotti and Phil Borg, have just completed their first independent feature film: New Year. It was a gruelling labour of love.

…read more by Rachel Sa in the Toronto Sun.