This welcoming speech to the parents of the Boston Conservatory freshman class in 2004 by Karl Paulnack still rings true. It is a moving explanation of how music and the arts are essential to our lives and part of our basic human needs.

The recent announcement that one, count it, one Sunshine Coast arts organization received a Community Gaming Grant in the most recent round of Arts, Sports & Tourism grant applications really got my attention.  In addition, that single grant was for the grand sum of $630. 

My previous column provided some consideration by three conversation partners of some of the definitions they use when thinking about sustainability in the arts.  This column is about funding, who wants it, or not, and how funding the arts is considered by my conversation partners.  Quite a bit has changed since I first drafted this column in late July.  The ground continues to shift under our feet.

I have had many conversations during the past two weeks about sustainability in the arts. Three conversations focussed on definitions of sustainability for the arts, what does the present look like, and a glimpse or two of the future.