How can we / why should we put a value on our art?

There were two sides to the question - one was about money and the business model: the quantitative value. The other was about the benefit and worth to people, what it brings: the qualitative value.

We started by talking about money and external worth, and the different business models within the theatre sector. We had input about English system, the Welsh system and the wider European systems. We looked at funded work and how the goalposts are changing, what stated criteria mean. We had a freelance arts producer, a drama teacher, someone who's worked in Europe both in France, Italy, Baltic regions, and although European governments have traditionally valued the arts as an important driver of everyday culture, everybody is noticing dramatic cuts. We then talked about trying to prove yourself, prove your worth to funders. How it's becoming more onerous to do that.

"There's nothing perennial from the funders"

We then got on to the qualitative value. What art is worth personally, for society, and that it used to just be accepted and understood as a key expression of our humanity. Having to prove that is impossible. However these are some of the benefits we feel our art brings: it helps people see themselves and each other through different perspectives which then helps to reduce othering (which otherwise leads to fear, wasting of energy, negativity). It helps us understand the complexity of the human condition. It helps us build stronger communities when we understand each other better we can connect easier, together we're stronger. The impact on participants builds confidence, helps self-identity - who am I? Who are we? For instance in prisons our work allowed a journey from self-loathing and repression to acceptance and love. Helps understand issues like homophobia and other political ideas, allows self-expression, gives people a voice.

There seemed to be one outlier which is Wales, who have recently put the expressive arts at the centre of the curriculum. The drama teacher in the group found her students grew in confidence, self-awareness, behaviour improved, outcomes improved, self-belief improved. She said no career in the country does not need the transferable skills learned in drama classes. She advocated for drama to be at the centre of all education and for creatives to be at the centre of government.

People enjoy art - isn't that enough? It's exciting, stimulating, gives me permission to be more, to be less normal, be less ordinary, be more me. Diversity is strength. Art brings awareness of 'other'. It is empowering. It's worth hearing. Knowledge is power. Collaboration is good. The opposite of divide and conquer. Diversity is strength, creates a society that is enabled and encouraged.
IT IS WORTH DOING.

Then we all had a collective sigh, a breath out.