Culture in a time of Crisis
The Historic Houses Trust has recently been in the news after criticism labeled at the organisation by Ian Evans a Heritage Conservationist via Crikey.com. The article, picked up by the ABC's 7.30 Report , calls for the NSW State Government to sell off under performing ( low visitor numbers, low income streams) historic houses managed by the Trust. Properties such as Vaucluse House, Elizabeth Bay House, Government House and Rose Seidler House, could, he argues, be sold to not only raise money for the State Government, but would eliviate the issue of paying for their upkeep.
Evans believes that changing attitudes and a new 'now' generation uninterested in Historic properties has seen a decline in numbers and interest in the properties. The 'House Museum is Dead'.
His comments raise a series of very important questions faced by culture and cultural institutions in time of economic difficulty, should heritage, art, opera, dance, music be supported by the government while factories close, jobs are lost and families face increasing economic pressure.
But should we all ways think of the money, can culture be reduced to a simple sum, should we sell and get what we can or does culture transend money. At at time when some of the states greatest treasures are on display at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, it is timely to stop and think about the idea of 'value' and be brave in a time of crisis to stand up for cultural value over financial value.
Jessica Moore
Collections Officer, WPCC
Evans believes that changing attitudes and a new 'now' generation uninterested in Historic properties has seen a decline in numbers and interest in the properties. The 'House Museum is Dead'.
His comments raise a series of very important questions faced by culture and cultural institutions in time of economic difficulty, should heritage, art, opera, dance, music be supported by the government while factories close, jobs are lost and families face increasing economic pressure.
But should we all ways think of the money, can culture be reduced to a simple sum, should we sell and get what we can or does culture transend money. At at time when some of the states greatest treasures are on display at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, it is timely to stop and think about the idea of 'value' and be brave in a time of crisis to stand up for cultural value over financial value.
Jessica Moore
Collections Officer, WPCC
posted by WORD OF MOUTH: WPCC BLOG @ 9:12 PM
2 Comments:
At 7 April 2009 11:38 PM ,
Wiebbie Hayes said...
The sale of public heritage properites such as Vaucluse House to raise moeny to buffer the state budgets is about as basic an idea as you can get. Quickfix, short term, reactionary, are all terms that jump to mind. Selling the irreplaceable is dening our children experiance and understanding that we have taken for granted and have shaped who we are.
Simplifying the argument by saying young people don't go so lets close it down is agist and ignores that thousands apon thousands of people who;s first experiance of these sites was as children. Yes they may not be hip or funky but that does not mean they should be put out to pasture.
Governments come and go, depressions and recessions lift, these properties are part of the soul of the state and can not be replaced once lost.
At 9 April 2009 5:26 PM ,
Anonymous said...
When Kate Clark, Director Historic Houses Trust visits the WPCC on May 1 for the Great Dinner it will be interesting to hear what she has to say given the weeks following the 7.30 Report story.
There are so many pros and cons in rationalising collections in times of economic uncertainty, but the exhibition Great Collections currently on show reinforces the value of these institutions to our National identity - imagine not having a public house to showcase the colonial furniture, Charter of Justice & Captain Cook's sextant in another generation?
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