Should "the arts" be competitive?

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Mal, are any of the things Matt is competitive in "artsy"? If not, would he feel differently if they were? Just curious.

And you ignored my band camp comment! I'm crushed! But it actually wasn't all in jest. Some kids/people just aren't athletic. Their talents lie in other areas. Shouldn't they be allowed to compete to be the best at what they do just like an athlete? Music was extremely competitive at my high school and competitions were cutthroat. If you weren't good enough, you weren't allowed to compete with the band. It sounded awful when I first got there, but it actually took me from being an average musician to an excellent musician because I had to prove weekly that i was worthy of competing. And that in turn made me try harder in everything I did. And the reward came when we took sweeps at competition after competition. We earned it and we deserved it. It gave us a goal...without the reward I don't think we would have worked so hard. What would have been the point?

I agree there are waaaaay too many awards shows and the like and it has become a popularity contest in many cases. But I think if you're the best at what you do you should be rewarded for it, be it athletics, arts, whatever.

[ph4ever]

Artistic competition at the scholastic level does have guidelines aka rules that one must follow. IMHO Interscholastic competition actually broadens a students perspective. In theater for example, during competition there may be someone performing the same monologue, scene or duet that you are involved in. Considering that everyone interprets and performs differently, as well as the difference in directors interpretation, competition can actually broaden an actors perspective. Not to mention that besides the hard work and long hours it's really fun. Some of my best memories are from attending competition.

[buffettbride]

Then what would be the point of Band Camp?

Wasn't ignoring it on purpose!! Just was in a rush this afternoon!

[ragtopW]

For me.. I cannot remember the last time a movie won
a bunch of Awards that I attended.. I don't know of
many of the Grammy winners .. Peoples Choice??
SAG Awards.... I just don't Trust for people I don't know
telling me what is good.. so No I think No.

[Drumkat]

http://www.dci.org


the best at both

[SharkOnLand]

To me, art is invoking emotion. No two people will interpret the same piece of art with the same feelings. So art as a competition is basically impossible to judge.

IMNSHO, artists aren't out to 'be the best they can be'. They are there to create pieces that will provoke an emotional response.

When art is reduced to a competition, you are trying to objectify that which cannot be objectified--emotion. When you place set objectives or criteria to an 'art' competition, you are basically limiting art, and stripping it of its most revered quality, artistic license.

[buffettbride]

To me, art is invoking emotion. No two people will interpret the same piece of art with the same feelings. So art as a competition is basically impossible to judge.

IMNSHO, artists aren't out to 'be the best they can be'. They are there to create pieces that will provoke an emotional response.

When art is reduced to a competition, you are trying to objectify that which cannot be objectified--emotion. When you place set objectives or criteria to an 'art' competition, you are basically limiting art, and stripping it of its most revered quality, artistic license.

i don't necessarily agree, but you made the arguement so much more clearly than anyone who shares that POV.

[carolinagirl]

Some kids/people just aren't athletic. Their talents lie in other areas. Shouldn't they be allowed to compete to be the best at what they do just like an athlete? Music was extremely competitive at my high school and competitions were cutthroat. If you weren't good enough, you weren't allowed to compete with the band. It sounded awful when I first got there, but it actually took me from being an average musician to an excellent musician because I had to prove weekly that i was worthy of competing. And that in turn made me try harder in everything I did. And the reward came when we took sweeps at competition after competition. We earned it and we deserved it. It gave us a goal...without the reward I don't think we would have worked so hard. What would have been the point?

I agree with BEG, and vote yes for competitive. My son is one of those not good at sports, but excels in music and visual arts. He has won many art contests and was just selected one of seven to be in the jazz band. If it wasn't competitive, then all 55 bandmembers could be in the jazz band! Trying harder and natural talent should be rewarded in arts as they are in sports and academia.