Jeffrey Sharkey’s latest piece for The Times reads equal parts manifesto and love letter. Not directed at one particular figure of renown, Sharkey instead focuses on the contribution of the arts as a whole, particularly in this most “unprecedented” time.
He writes: “The arts are powerful conveners of people and ideas.
“Even in this world of enforced distance, performing artists of all kinds continue to develop their craft to make beautiful, provocative and contemplative work on all manner of digital platforms that are helping us get through.”
Sharkey, whose day job as the principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is best placed to comment on the importance of the arts amid the pandemic. He believes that at present: “We need to respond to the world as it is.” He continues to list the way in which Scots are well equipped to do so, noting that: “Artists now need to be genre-fluid, understanding art forms beyond their own and capable of taking creativity where it’s needed.”
Yet as much as one would like to believe this is a love letter without agenda, the part manifesto indicates this is not the case. The insufficient support received by the arts sphere is clearly on Sharkey’s mind, as is the same with his peers. He notes: “In fixing what’s been broken by Covid, it would be folly to overlook arts education from the grass roots right up to conservatoire.”
Sharkey’s impassioned plea concludes: “When the time comes to reflect on what matters, let us not forget the artists of today — and tomorrow.”
