Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

In past ages, artists were essentially craftsmen carrying out the wishes of the ruling political, aristocratic, and religious elites. When modern artists gained a degree of economic independence in the late 18th century, and with the rise of democratic ideals, a minority began criticizing the establishment as an artistic opposition, and this has continued to the present day. The relation of artists to politics largely mirrors that found in the rest of society, a difference being that artists are experts in the manipulation of charged symbols. With respect to political issues in society (and regarding all political tendencies from left to right) artists have been harshly critical, slavishly supportive, and at times completely apathetic, depending on the moment. This presentation will explain some of the approaches politicized artists have taken to engage in the social and political process, and it will discuss what sorts of effects these engagements may, or may not, have in the larger social and political