"...The returns on investment in performing arts are significant, but the strength of any country and its people is about far more than the financial wealth it generates. We must challenge the dangerous narrative that equates success with the level of a graduate’s income and which reduces education to a financial transaction. If we don’t, we risk losing the next generation of artists and all that they contribute to our wellbeing and society…”
David Ruebain makes the case for protecting arts and creative education not only because of a financial return but because of its creative and social capital. This is a move that New Zealand is trying to capture more of by setting its budget by more than only looking at GDP.
The conservatoire David leads has one of the only Circus perfoming arts schools in the UK in its federation. The teaching of this art form we may be losing due to continued cuts to arts education.
His op-ed here: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/20/if-we-dont-protect-arts-education-well-lose-the-next-generation-of-performers
On New Zealand and non-financial capitals: https://www.thendobetter.com/investing/2019/2/24/new-zealand-looking-at-non-financial-capitals
And here you can see a YT of the Circus School: