The number of people between the ages of 25 and 34 working in arts and cultural jobs in New Brunswick dipped over 35 per cent between 1996 and 2006, that according to stats from ArtsLinkNB.
But Executive Director Gillian Dykeman says numbers in the rest of the country are up, “If we look at culture and the way we have more diverse voices are coming forward, that is certainly promising. I think there seems to be a better representation in that way. In New Brunswick, that isn’t necessarily the case that more people are becoming professional artists, and I think that is part of what is driving this project.”
Dykeman says offering a better arts education can also help to drive the economic success of the province as well.
“Artists tell us the story of who we are and they help ground us in our place. When we’ve got folks coming forward and becoming professional artists and pursuing it right here, they feel empowered to do so, because they have seen that in the world.”
ArtsLinkNB has been holding Town Halls across the province, talking about arts education in Anglophone school districts. They had a large turnout at their session in Moncton last night.
One session is left, and it will be held in Miramichi.
