In the previous two entries on this (here and here) I primarily discussed the idea of a tax exempt status (to a certain level of income) for artists and content creators and why I felt this was necessary and important. I've realized however that this is only part of the battle. As long as artists incomes are very low even tax exemptions will only help so much. Artists today are in a much more challenging position than they've been in in years past. While the million channel universe offers new opportunities, it makes it even more difficult for artists to be noticed by any large number of people. While the internet does make it easier for artists to reach out and find an audience that audience may be split across the globe (or at least the country) without large numbers of them appearing in any one place.
So, part two of the Canadian Renaissance Project plan (as it currently stands) would go something like this: Following the model of the "Children's Fitness Tax Credit") Allow up to $500 per year, per individual in tax deductions for cultural activities. That would include things like art or music lessons, but it would also include concert tickets, theatre tickets, film tickets, book or music purchases, etc., (as long as it fell within the guidelines of "Canadian Content"). This would not only encourage people to spend more on these activities, it would encourage producers to produce more material and encourage retailers to carry more. I am all for physical fitness, but I happen to think that fitness for the mind and the soul are important as well.
Again, please let me know if you are interested in joining the brainstorming team for this project.
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