The arts are often seen by many as only accessible by the upper class or upper echelon of society. This limits opportunities for engagement for many, and strips many of the pleasures that dance, music, audio, and visual can give many. How have you found participation or engagement with the arts limited, and how have you overcome this?
I agree with M.L.; I think some specific examples will really help give shape to your argument. Accessibility is a series issue in the practice and celebration of ALL art forms, unfortunately--is there one specific category that you feel is particularly affected, and what are some examples? Once you have specific examples, you could go into a broader discussion about elitism and barriers to entry for people of color, disabled people, low-income people, etc. – Eden5 years ago
This may be a little disconnected, but I would also consider talking briefly about new media/art in digital transmedia work and the accessibility there because there are also discussions on whether it is accessible to low-income people and also disabled people. – Emily Deibler5 years ago
I think another important thing to note is that going into a career in the arts is often looked down upon in some families in the middle-upper class. The argument is usually that it won't earn them enough money. – Caitlin5 years ago
This is definitely a worthwhile topic to discuss as I'd love for all to be able to access the arts and benefit from them. However, there should be a discussion within this about what IS being done already. Free entry to a large number of galleries and museums (UK based) in order to enable this access, activities and workshops at galleries and museums to engage families and young people, cinema screenings of West End plays/musicals to enable more people to view the show and experience the works without having to travel, pay large amounts for tickets etc. There is good being done out there so it would be great to use this as a springboard to say how these obstacles can be overcome and further ideas to explore for your audience. – CAntonyBaker4 years ago
Something to consider is the historical shift in more people “seeing” artworks through the advent of modern photography and publishing. Before the use of cameras (in a limited, professional sense as well as a broad, recreational sense), seeing an important work of art, and thus appraising and broadcasting it, was a much more limited business. Discussing how widely published photographs of artworks found in magazines and newsprint affected accessibility and public opinion can give a lot of grounding for exploring art accessibility in the digital age. – James Polk4 years ago
I'm not sure I understand the accessibility issue--only an upper class feel comfortable walking into a museum? I think that what might be addressed here is how do you develop a lifelong interest in the arts (a broad category) among perhaps children who have parents who might not expose them to the arts. Therefore, as those children develop, they still have an interest in the arts later in life. – Joseph Cernik4 years ago