The noted cultural commentator Max Wyman discusses his new book The Compassionate Imagination: How the Arts Are Central to a Functioning Democracy (Cormorant Books, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

The Compassionate Imagination: How the Arts Are Central to a Functioning Democracy by Max Wyman (Cormorant Books, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Compassionate Imagination

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the more interesting books of the season is the one from Max Wyman, The Compassionate Imagination: How the Arts Are Central to a Functioning Democracy. It’s an engaging book, one that stress how important the arts are in a society and culture, not to mention the discourse. The economic spinoffs from the arts are there, we know the benefit to other industries because of a thriving arts scene, yet far too often, they’re seen as unnecessary, unimportant, or a frill. Engineering, technology or mathematics seem to be deemed more important, and as Max makes the case in the book, we’re the poorer for it. And he doesn’t suggest that STEM isn’t important, but that perhaps STEAM, with the arts in there, could be a shift that will be good for all. The book also makes for suggestions as to how government fund the arts, and it’s not saying the private sector hasn’t got a part either. His suggested structure for a new Canadian Cultural Contract is not only innovative, but feasible. Max, who joins me now, knows of which he speaks. For over three decades, Mr. Wyman has burnished his credentials as one of Canada’s foremost cultural commentators. His criticism and analysis has appeared in the Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a former board member of the Canada Council for the Arts, and a former President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. He is also a former mayor of Lions Bay, British Columbia, where he joined me from last week. This new book is published by Cormorant Books. It was recently named a finalist for the 2023 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Max Wyman; Mr. Wyman, good morning.

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