Historian muses on the warp and weft of an economy that includes culture
I
n a kind of follow-up to his enthusiastic reviews of three recent historical publications in Cape Breton, community historian Jim St. Clair broadcast a thoughtful commentary on the relationship between economic development and cultural activity (CBC Cape Breton Information Morning, Friday, Sept. 5, 2014). Those recent books, including two from CBU Press, remind us of our past and urge us onward.
Using an analogy of weaving, Jim states that the fabric of our lives is made up of such things as geography, climate and education that form the warp, but cultural activity is the weft; theatres, galleries and books give the fabric strength and colour.
We are remiss in developing imaginative partnerships between development agencies and arts institutions to put the coloured threads on the woof, says St.Clair.
Unsaid, but perhaps implied, is that institutions – Cape Breton University, museums, historical societies and archives – have long been at the centre of the cultural tapestry in an essential way. St.Clair points out that such activities (theatre, publishing, archives and galleries) do not make money and should not be expected to; continuing institutional support, such as from CBU for the past 40 years, is essential.
Write on, Jim!
Listen to a podcast of the commentary here: http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningcb/2014/09/03/jim-st-clair—celtic-threads/