The arts

The arts is often used when discussing government policy towards cultural matters.

The performing arts include stage presentations such as plays, ballet and opera. The visual arts include painting and sculpture.

Artist in this context refers to someone performing or doing creative work in the arts

There are several hundred theatres in Britain whose survival hangs on funding from the Arts Council, regional arts associations or local authorities. Most are now in difficulties.

There is no justification for government support of the arts at all because what this amounts to is taking away money from all taxpayers, including those, who never set foot in a museum or theatre, to help pay for the leisure activities of the privileged classes.

Psychologist Dr. Glen Wilson, author of 'The Psychology of Performing Arts' believes an evening of song and dance can actually change people for the better. 'Musicals give a direct emotional lift,' he says.

We already have a European common currency and it's music, dance, theatre, the visual arts, not the Common Agricultural Policy or pesticide control orders.

.. Jack Vettriano, a one-time mineworker, who had been earning a living as a graphic artist in Edinburgh and having a go at oil-painting in his spare lime.

Ex.4. Read this extract from the Independentabout arts funding in Britain and answer the

questions.

PLAYING TO THE GALLERY: NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE

The British government's attitude to the arts is in many ways lamentable. Public expenditure on the arts is woefully inadequate compared with our European neighbours (£9.80 per person per annum in Britain against £27.80 in Sweden, £24 in Germany, £21.40 in France and £20.50 in the Netherlands). The arts minister is not in the Cabinet; great national projects such as the Royal Opera House development and the National Gallery extension have to rely totally on private money: museums can barely afford to maintain their buildings; and the government rarely expresses pride in the arts as a central part of Britain's achievements.

Yet, despite such legitimate causes for complaint, the arts lobby will achieve nothing by accusing the government of Philistinism. It would do much better to produce a concrete and realistic manifesto for adequate arts funding.

1) An actor who plays to the gallery uses the most extreme dramatic effects. Read the whole

extract and say if this term is used showing approval.

2) If something is lamentable, is it a good thing?

3) If something is woefully inadequate, is it a) slightly inadequate or b) extremely inadequate?

4) If you can barely afford to do something, you can h _ _ _ _ y afford to do it.

5) Is a legitimate cause justifiable?

6) Do philistines like and understand the arts?