Cities attract and preserve our heritage, but the arts can be one of the first casualties during austere times. Now, a wave of polarisation has left us with few places where we can engage in difficult, nuanced conversations that are not black and white. For cities embroiled in or emerging from conflict, the arts can be that conciliatory grey area. The arts can also allow people to learn from the past and make the marginalised visible.On the flip side, creative people are often outliers, easily stigmatized by society, even in large, anonymous cities. While inclusivity is now fashionable, protecting performance and visual artists requires authenticity. In this regard, the unfolding digital art world is providing new opportunities. To make sure nobody is left behind, though, cities must make resources and education available, regardless of whether they are in the global south or the global north.In this episode we look at how the visual and performance arts and culture are shaping cities in the 21st century. We explore how and where culture is supported, and what that means to its accessibility. We also look at what happens to cities that undergo significant political shifts and how we must consciously allow the arts to thrive in today’s competing priorities.Speakers:Aniela Coveleski, Business Representative, SAG-AFTRAShona McCarthy, CEO, Edinburgh Fringe FestivalAdiam Gafoo, COO, Arts HelpLinks:A Discussion on Art and Gentrification in New YorkA Discussion on the Making of Bushwick