For every one step forward the city makes (Khyber/Bloomfield redevelopment, Nocturne, Emerging Artists Studio Program), all that good work got shot to shit with the news that HRM is cancelling the arts awards, including:
Mayor’s Award for Literary Achievement: $1,500
Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Book Illustration: $1,500
Mayor’s Award for Achievement in Theatre: $1,500
Mayor’s Award for Emerging Theatre Artist: $500
TOTAL=$,5000
I'm not sure yet of the Contemporary Visual Art Award's status. We're having a tough time getting anyone to confirm anything. Now, $1,500 is not a lot of money, but it can make a huge difference to someone who has a low income (c'mon, no one makes art to become rich). But even more so than the dollar amount, it's the symbolic devaluing of art in a city that has no arts council or grants to individuals, as do most cities of Halifax's size. Also, when you consider all the high-profile expensive projects the mayor seems willing to throw cash at, $5,000 is like the linty pennies in the bottom of my purse.
We're going to keep on this, but until then, here are a few artists that received awards (the list on HRM's website hasn't been updated since 2008, which says a lot right there): Michael Melski, Mary Vingoe, Anthony Black and our own Mike Holmes. These are just some of the nationally/internationally recognized artists who get trotted out when the city wants to show what a diverse, culturally vibrant place Halifax is. Embarrassing.
I'm moving to Pawnee. We need a Leslie Knope.
