Why is creativity in Great Britain now circumscribed to history?

[Ironhouse]

There are no major feats of art, culture or sports to speak of, at home or globally?

It all feels very much dull and stone grey.

The only thing I can think that's come out of this era is? ...

Why's it come to this folks?

"Dull, dull grey
The colour of our times"

Sung by Crowded House in 1991...one of my fave songs.

But what's prompted the question OP? Art, architecture, dance, design...? Lots of great creativity going on that I can see but I'm not keen on current architecture I guess.

So women’s football coming to the fore is nothing. Not one award winning film or tv show counts? do you keep up with the art world OP?

Sadly, the Lionesses incredible achievements were not accoladed in the way we might have hoped.

The education system is obsessed with STEM ?
Maybe?

creative people need a social safety net in order to take risks, or to survive on 'the dole' while creating art etc.

that isn't possible because of the cuts to benefits etc.

I love that song too
but I'm quoting "Whispers and Moans" which may be an album track.

Maybe we could be could be great again if people considered the first two comments to this thread? It's not outlandish considered what we've created?

What would you deem a ‘feat’ or art or culture, though?

Our fireworks at NY are impressive. The Queen's platinum jubilee parade was innovative and showcased a lot of talent. We do well to ok at sport. Covid slowed things down. Liverpool has had good cultural stuff going on for years. We've had the new Shakespeare theatre in Prescot. The various flower shows are cultural. We make great television dramas. What are you looking for?

The UK does still produce art and culture, but it is as pp have said hampered by the current obsession with things that make money quickly, and of course Brexit is also a contributing factor - it is harder for young British artists starting out to tour in the EU, and it is harder for EU talent to come here to perform. That lack of cultural exchange is going to cost the UK dearly.

The Edinburgh festival is the biggest arts festival in the world!

But you think the UK ends at Berwick...

Something which would turn the attention of and then focus the general population? Might be something else entirely.

Why has the word ‘consigned’ been consigned to history?

Well we don’t support the arts the way we did, you have to be supported to create and a safety net to take risks. I work in a commercial part of the creative industries and I notice it’s distinctly more middle class than it was 20 years ago. Also we don’t put money into public architecture and live arts the way we should.

HOWEVER are living in a golden age of TV drama, to which GB has contributed a lot - (off top of my head I May Destroy You, Killing Eve) plus UK writers creating shows elsewhere (succession), or shows created elsewhere shot here (GOT, Ted Lasso), plus actors here there and everywhere.

London fashion week much bigger than it was. Lots of successful novelists, artists and architects, and despite shitty funding, there are a lot of community art initiatives around. Plus tech allows people to create and share ideas much more easily than before - and they do.

We are much better at sport than a couple decades ago - olympic success these days (thanks lottery money), and there are the Lionesses and Andy and Emma (and I don’t follow sport so I’m sure much more).

Obviously everything is going to hell in a handcart, but if you think it’s all grey that’s on you.

Quite

Really? I thought they were hugely feted.

How about:

The Angel of the North
Vivienne Westwood
Alexander McQueen
Dina Asher-Smith
The Booker Prize
Glastonbury
Just about every museum in London
The Millennium Bridge
The Boat Race
Chelsea Flower Show
Lewis Hamilton
The Edinburgh Festival
Mo Farah
Banksy
The Baltic Centre
The restored Roman Baths (in... you guessed it, Bath)
Hay Festival, and all the featured writers
Notting Hill Carnival

I could go on...

I was wondering the same thing.

As one of the first two commenters, I'm still not clear what you mean. We do have amazing creative work going on worldwide.

Such as?

Well, what do you think was the last artistic or cultural feat that turned the attention of the general population? Because the answer to what you’re asking will vary a lot depending on whether we’re talking about a vaguely popcultural musical phenomenon like Britpop, or high culture, which I don’t think has ever been of general interest.

I think the word 'feat' is tripping me up. You said 'something that would 'turn the focus of the general population.' But art, in particular, tended not to do that, ever. The general population were never 'omg did you see Constable's new one it, it's a total banger.'

In terms of mass communication the UK is doing bloody brilliantly. Commercial music/TV/Film are all areas where we punch well above our weight. Visual art too, but that's not something that ever turns the focus of the general population. Festivals - both music and general arts - are bouyant. People are making things and writing things and doing things all over the place.

Could I wish for more support for working class people who want to participate in the arts? A million percent. And is architecture a bit shit? For sure, but that's likely a by-product of a tiny island running out of space.

Because we don't invest properly in the arts etc. at any level. Our education system is not geared to creatives - its a one size fits all every one has to achieve the same subjects as everyone else. Creative pupils are told to stop doing so much music practice/art/drama and concentrate on their maths english and science etc. Many children don't even get the opportunity to discover they're talented at music/drama/dance as they come from families unable to pay for lessons. The specialist educational establishments originally intended to nurture our talented pupils are now full of international students as they pay more. The same goes for higher education - one leading UK conservatoire has one UK student studying the piano all the rest are internationals paying 3x the fees.

Once they leave education there isn't enough funding to help support young creatives as they try to establish themselves - many have to find other ways to pay the bills - the "resting" actor waiting tables/artist teaching full time and painting at weekends/gig economy for musicians. The only full time choir in the UK is about to be scrapped by the BBC who are also cutting a number of their full time orchestral posts - compare this to Germany where there are many full time orchestral posts - inevitably many of our better players go there if they can.

We have some of the best creatives in the world - the creative arts are the second largest contributor to the UK economy (after finance) but we don't invest in it at any level and we don't pay enough.

Because you are framing your understanding of achievement in the UK based on what you read on Social Media?
We aren’t really that bad, you know! Expand your horizons - read widely (suggest respected scientific journals, arts and cultural reviews Etc.) go to some of the myriad exhibitions available, attend cultural events, concerts, theatre and gigs - then revisit your question … The result might surprise you!

I have no idea what you are talking about. What has led you to decide this?