“Be fearless. You are just as entitled as anyone to have the life you want.” The Arts Emergency Manifesto should rouse more than just artists
Very taken with the Arts Emergency Manifesto - a charity that mentors and supports young artists and humanities scholars (up to the age of 26) - as the graphic flew past us on social media. Good to catch it, and display it here. Many of the goals are strictly not to be confined to artists. We print them below:
1. Be fearless. You are just as entitled as anyone to have the life you want.
2. There are things that are bigger and better than money. We have things that those in power will never understand.
3. We take it as a given that a civilised society values education, lifelong learning and creativity as a public good.
4. Fight the conditioning that tells you to demonise young people. If so you will wake up from the tedious slumber of aging.
5. We are a social justice not social mobility organisation. Arts Emergency is no substitute for justice withheld.
6. To think creatively and critically is to free yourself from the limits an unfair society puts on you.
7. There is no recession of the imagination
8. The future is another place. Allow yourself to believe a better life is possible. Say it loudly, defiantly, to everyone.
9. Be generous. Now, be more generous. Share your privilege.
10. Do something, start small, keep going
11. Optimism is a weapon and if all else fails be silly