Unfortunately Guest....no it is not a joke. I know the town where Hille lives and she is absolutely correct.

Creative and individualistic thinking there is largely restricted to the profit that can be made from the stockmarket, gross speculation on houses such that locals or other mere mortals can hardly afford to live there, whether to buy the latest Mercedes, Jaguar or BMW or which marque of four-wheel drive vehicle it will be necessary to buy to take the children the 2km to school or collect the groceries from the local supermarket.

I sympathise fully Hille, having once lived in a similar town and tried to run a folk club there for 6 years (which I'm glad to say is still struggling along due to the dedication of a few organizers and regulars). Can't think of anything right regarding arts funding now but I'll get back to you if anything comes to mind.

mooman