INVESTING IN CULTURE

Warm up

1. How long have you lived in this area?

2. Do you or any of your friends take music lessons?
3. What cultural activities does the area have?
4. Would you rather go to a cultural event or a sports event?

Task

Option 1
Scholarship program for talented
youth
What are the Start up a scholarship program for
options? young musicians, dancers, actors
and artists.
What are the + The program would benefit 5
advantages and talented children a year who
disadvantages? might otherwise not have the
opportunity to study their chosen
art field. A contest would be held
each year, which would stimulate
interest in the arts throughout
the area’s schools.
.... Critics say the program would
directly benefit only a few
children a year.
Option 2
Municipal Arts Centre
Build a Municipal Arts Centre
where exhibits, plays and
concerts would take place.
+ The centre would take 5 years
to plan and build, but when it is
finishes, people of all ages
could enjoy it. This would be
the only facility of its kind in the
area.
....There is a danger that the
money might not be enough to
cover the building costs. If it
isn’t, the local government
would have to find additional
funds to finance the project.

Follow up

1. What opportunities are there in your school or community for children who are
interested in the arts?
2. Do you think enough is being done to promote arts education in your country?
3. Most children who take music lessons never become musicians. Do you think such
lessons are a waste of time and money?

ZOO ATTRACTION
Warm up

1. Do you have any pets?

2. Are there any zoos or nature reserves in your area?
3. Have you ever participated in any “green”events at school or in your community?

Task

Option 1
Aquarium
What are the Build a state-of-the-art walk-
options? trough underground aquarium
What are the + Visitors would be charged extra,
advantages and so the exhibit would pay for itself
disadvantages? in a few years, and there would
be money left over to fund other
less profitable projects, such as
the endangered species breeding
program.
.... many families would not be
able to afford the extra fee. Critics
say the zoo is already too
expensive for these families.
Option 2
Wildlife Theatre Group
Create a Wildlife Theatre group
to give performances at the zoo
and in schools
+ Thanks to donations from
companies and private donors,
the theatre group would give
free performances designed to
inform and teach kids to care
about the natural world.
Performances would take place
in the Zoo Auditorium and at
schools in the community.
....Money would have to be
raised each year to cover
expenses. The Theatre would
not generate income for other
programs.

Follow Up

1. What role, if any, do zoos in your country play in educating the public about
wildlife?
2. Do you feel the schools in your country are doing a good job in teaching students
about the nature and the environment? What programs, if any, have you
participated in?
3. If you were a government official, what environmental program would you try and
put into effect?