Welcome to (Insert Place Here), The Center of Arts and Culture

Welcome to (Insert Place Here), The Center of Arts and Culture

Marc Valenciano

They say talk is cheap, maybe that’s why it’s easy to claim and proclaim. Claiming something is alright, proclaiming it is alright, but it all go does to, how much are you willing to prove it?

What really gets my attention is when a place claims and proclaims that it is a Center of Arts and Culture. I’m like “WOW! Really?! How?” The usual evidences are either having National or International Activities held in their town. Or having a project with an Artist or Artists, who are known nationwide. Another is being recognize by a Cultural-Award giving body, because of the local government unit or LGU’s efforts in conducting activities related to Arts and Culture.

But if we will stick with those evidences, as the usual qualifications, only the so called “Imperial Manila” would surface as the Center of Arts and Culture, since the Cultural Center of the Philippines is located there, as well as the central office of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Not to mention that Manila hosts not only national cultural events, but as well as International ones.

What is more baffling is that, if a place is the Center of Arts and Culture, why would its local artists join in an exhibit in Baguio or Manila just to make a name for themselves? Given the fact that their place is the Center of Arts and Culture already?

I don’t know with how other Arts Enthusiast and Cultural Workers perceives it, but for me, in the Philippine setting, it would be a violation of Cultural Relativism if one place claims to be Center of Arts and Culture over the whole Archipelago. How could be the art of this enthnolinguistic group superior to other enthnolinguistic groups? Provided that they have a different geography. Another thing is, yes, you could bring all forms of Arts in one place, then claim it’s the center. Bring the artists too, but for how long? You don’t expect Kidlat Tahimik to reside in Sulu for a lifetime, since his works are deeply rooted in his northern roots. Don’t expect the cooks of Maranao to settle in Pampanga and vice versa. The ingredients they used are indigenous to their place, the taste of the products of their own land. An artist might love to travel, but he will always long for his home some other time, just ask Ysagani Ybarra.

Based on my personal experiences, artists and cultural workers would conduct Art Exhibits and Workshops with or without the LGUs acknowledgement nor support. Sometimes, LGUs ride along. Sometimes, LGUs initiate. However, the credit must always go to the Art Community, even its downfall.

But back to the topic, when an LGU claims to be a Center of Arts and Culture, the burden is not on the LGU, but on the artists. For when that claim is published, it’s the Art Community that people will focus on. Though it must also be noted that to prove such claim, it must be a collective effort, from the LGU, to the Art Community, as well as the sectors of Business, Education and Tourism. But still, it is the Art Community, which primarily benefits or suffer, depending on the outcome.

Regardless of who is to blame or who is to credit, for me, if one claims to be the Center of Arts and Culture of the WHOLE ARCHIPELAGO, these questions must be asked first, before the claiming starts. We will use the term “TOWN” as substitute to places that claims they are the Center of Arts and Culture

.

Do Art Collectors, both local and foreign go to that TOWN to buy artworks and crafts? In a month, how many are sold?

Are the Colleges and Universities in that TOWN offer Art Degrees and Programs? Do students from other towns and provinces enroll in those programs? In a semester, how many are enrolled?

Do Artists from other towns and provinces conduct an exhibit in that TOWN just to market their name? In a quarter, how many are held?

Do Art Appreciation and Art Critique Classes visit that TOWN as part of their enrichment activities and field trips? In a semester, how many visits are there?

Do Humanities and Travel Bloggers recommend this TOWN as a must-visit place for Arts Enthusiasts and Collectors?

How regular are National and International Arts and Cultural Event conducted in that TOWN? In a month? In a year? How many people visit that TOWN just to attend that event?

Do Nationwide-level Arts and Culture-Award Giving Bodies conduct the awarding in that TOWN? How many award giving bodies conduct it there? How many are award giving bodies are there in the whole archipelago?

If most of the answers are yes, then it’s a good sign. But let’s look at the figures. Are the figures higher compared to other claimants of being a Center of Arts and Culture? Are the figures higher compared to Baguio? Manila? Are the figures consistent? Not just for a year, but for three years. Why three years? The term of elected LGU officials lasts for three years, before the next election. Not to mention that, mostly, the LGUs are the ones who claim the title, not the Art Community. If yes, then maybe the TOWN could claim it is the Center of Arts and Culture.

But more than claiming it, and proving it, it must be sustained and improved. And if your artists are leaving your place, for marketing and publicity purposes, maybe you need to work harder. Bring the market in your town, so your artists don’t need to leave.