NationStates Jolt Archive

Here's the first draft of a proposal to promote international arts. It goes in several different directions, and I'm rethinking the entire first clause (since it's very inadequate in "defining" the arts). The General Assembly of the United Nations,

SEEING great value in dispersal, creation and appreciation of art,

RECOGNIZING cultural good from experiencing artwork from different nations,

EMPATHIZING with the artist who struggles to sell his or her art in national markets, and DECLARING art a global enterprise:

1. DEFINES “art” as including but not limited to “music”, “dance”, “visual arts” (as in painting, sculpture, etc.), “drama”, “literature”, and any other similar category--all categories to be understood as defined by UN oversight (with input from individual nations--and DEFINES “artist” as ‘the primary creator or creators of a specific work of art’;

2. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards”, with the mandate to award various artists from UN nations in various categories of art for excellence within that category; and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

3. PROMOTES national education in the arts to young and old, and ARRANGES UN-funded schools for artistic instruction--including history, performance, theory, etc.--in nations interested in such schools, the schools operating on a curriculum agreeable to both nation and UN oversight, and staffed by national and/or UN employees (also as determined by both nation and UN oversight);

4. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) to hold art from member-nation-artists for the purpose of selling art in other UN nations (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN upon sale); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

5. ESTABLISHES a set of commissions and grants to be awarded, in exchange for the promise of future art, to artists in member nations who show exceptional or potentially exceptional talent (as regarded by UN oversight whose search will centering around winners of “UN Art Awards” and users of the “UN Art Database”); and COMMENDS individual orchestras, troupes, organizations, etc. that award similar grants and commissions;

6. PROMOTES and ADVERTISES, around the world, other international and national arts organizations which help artists secure funding, receive instruction, receive recognition, get published and so on;

7. ENCOURAGES artists, which have the resources, to help their fellow artists monetarily, educationally, or emotionally, and to distribute or publish free or low-cost art for the benefit of the public.

The General Assembly of the United Nations,

SEEING great value in dispersal, creation and appreciation of art,

RECOGNIZING cultural good from experiencing artwork from different nations,

EMPATHIZING with the artist who struggles to sell his or her art in national markets, and DECLARING art a global enterprise:

1. DEFINES “art” as including but not limited to “music”, “dance”, “visual arts” (as in painting, sculpture, etc.), “drama”, “literature”, and any other similar category--all categories to be understood as defined by UN oversight (with input from individual nations--and DEFINES “artist” as ‘the primary creator or creators of a specific work of art’;

2. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards”, with the mandate to award various artists from UN nations in various categories of art for excellence within that category; and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

3. PROMOTES national education in the arts to young and old, and ARRANGES UN-funded schools for artistic instruction--including history, performance, theory, etc.--in nations interested in such schools, the schools operating on a curriculum agreeable to both nation and UN oversight, and staffed by national and/or UN employees (also as determined by both nation and UN oversight);

4. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) to hold art from member-nation-artists for the purpose of selling art in other UN nations (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN upon sale); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

5. ESTABLISHES a set of commissions and grants to be awarded, in exchange for the promise of future art, to artists in member nations who show exceptional or potentially exceptional talent (as regarded by UN oversight whose search will centering around winners of “UN Art Awards” and users of the “UN Art Database”); and COMMENDS individual orchestras, troupes, organizations, etc. that award similar grants and commissions;

6. PROMOTES and ADVERTISES, around the world, other international and national arts organizations which help artists secure funding, receive instruction, receive recognition, get published and so on;

7. ENCOURAGES artists, which have the resources, to help their fellow artists monetarily, educationally, or emotionally, and to distribute or publish free or low-cost art for the benefit of the public.

We will support almost any resolution concerning the arts, particularly one that outlines measures of such depth and splendid detail. We support clauses 1,2,3,4,6 and 7. We do not support 4, as we view this as an area where the U.N. does not need to involve itself, as such transactions are best left to the artist and his clientele.

We are somewhat disappointed that there is no measure to accomodate artists from countries where freedom of art is not permitted and where the right of artists to create that which they view as art, is restricted, for political, social or even economic reasons. If this could be included, we'd be very happy indeed.

Yet as a start, we are supportive.

May the blessings of our otters be upon you.

Leonard Otterby
Ambassador for the Republic of Compadria to the U.N.

I actually kinda like this one. agree that point 4 should be removed, and left up to the artists, its just that i dont know if those book burning people over in Timsbuckortwostan would agree with it.... (ficticious name, please dont look up to see if really a member)

The inspiration for clause 4 is public radio. The idea was to create an alternative market through which an artist may access international markets--without the pressures of commercial publishing. I hope it isn't being interpreted as replacing all existing international artistic publishers (not the intent at all), but rather as an alternative for those artists consistently

There are, in RL, similar sorts of low-level, or self-risk publishers. They just publish a sparse number of books, relying on you to sell it to people. Or there are the authors (and other artists, but book publishing is a good example) who publish their own books. The idea was just to allow those to market their works to a larger audience, to increase the likelihood that good artists make a living making good art--even if commercial publication passes up such artists and art.

Now, that said, I'm not saying I'll never remove clause 4. I'm just interested in making a case for it and seeing the responses before its really considered. Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. :)

Now, that said, I'm not saying I'll never remove clause 4. I'm just interested in making a case for it and seeing the responses before its really considered.
OOC: I can't help it, I'm hearing the voice of Tony Blair... [/British in-joke]

I like the look of this.

[B]T

We are somewhat disappointed that there is no measure to accomodate artists from countries where freedom of art is not permitted and where the right of artists to create that which they view as art, is restricted, for political, social or even economic reasons. If this could be included, we'd be very happy indeed.


LAE will probably approves this proposition if, as Compadria told it, it deals will freedom of arts, an interesting proposition was submitted by Jey last month about it (see end of my post)


LAE don't like too much omnipresent administrations, and even if we approved your microcredit and small business proposal, we don't understand very much why it's the UN or nations business to create new administrations!!! we think it would have been beeter in the case of these 2 proposal that the UN urges strongly companies or no-profit organisation to do it (and only create an administration if companies and non-profit organisations fail to do it)
A friend of mine worked 2 years for a non-profit microcredit organisation in Manilla, Philippines, and the results were great.

In the same way here, maybe it could be interesting that the UN urges and help non-profit organisation to realize the "Art Databases"

A real life example is discogs.com, it's a non-profit user-built database of electronic music information with all labels and artists cross-referenced.
http://www.discogs.com/
as it's a collaborative web site (as wikipedia) thousand of people add releases, and it's great
today: discogs.com = 464,957 releases - 288,463 artists - 41,338 labels
whoooooooooooooooo, i love it
(i must admit the search engines and the display options are really really poor)


Jey proposal:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=450895
-----------------------------------------------------
The General Assembly of the United Nations,

NOTING:

Resolution #26 The Universal Bill of Rights, which states in Article II that: “All human beings have the right to express themselves through speech and through the media without any interference.”

CONSIDERING:

That the rights of artists, authors, writers, and musicians were neither covered in Resolution #26 nor any other N.S.U.N. resolution.

HEREBY DECLARES:

1) The rights of all artists to draw, paint, sculpt, etc. whatever they wish, given that they are using their own properties in these acts, or properties loaned to them for their artistic abilities (example: painting murals on buildings), and also given that these practices are in compliance with N.S.U.N. resolutions, shall not be at all interfered with by any government of the N.S.U.N.

2) The rights of all authors and writers to write, print, publish, etc. whatever they wish, given that they are using their own properties in these acts, or properties loaned to them for their writing ability, and also given that these practices are in compliance with N.S.U.N. resolutions, shall not be at all interfered with by any government of the N.S.U.N.

3) The rights of all musicians to sing, play, etc. whatever they wish, given that they are using their own properties in these acts, or properties loaned to them for their musical ability, and also given that these practices are in compliance with N.S.U.N. resolutions, shall not be at all interfered with by any government of the N.S.U.N.

DEFINES:

1)An “artist” as one, such as a painter, sculptor, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic, personal, or sentimental value, especially, but not limited to the fine arts. (Note: Though artistic practices include painting, sculpting, and drawing, artistic practices are not limited only to these activities.)

2) A “writer” or an “author” as one who writes books, stories, articles, etc, especially, but not limited to, as an occupation or a profession.

3) A “musician” as one who sings, plays a musical instrument, etc, especially, but not limited to, as an occupation or a profession.
-------------------------------------------------

LAE will probably approves this proposition if, as Compadria told it, it deals will freedom of arts, an interesting proposition was submitted by Jey last month about it (see end of my post)

Well, that's just it, I don't want to get involved in the "freedom of the arts" debate. Not so much because I think, as some might think I do for everything, that nations are best equipped to make a large number of decisions regarding artistic freedoms (which I might--haven’t given it that much thought). But more because I just don't have strong opinions on it one way or the other, nor any fresh ideas.

I mean, I could make this proposal about artistic freedom, but I'm pretty sure it would end up being unfeeling and unoriginal and unpretty.

A real life example is discogs.com, it's a non-profit user-built database of electronic music information with all labels and artists cross-referenced.
http://www.discogs.com/
as it's a collaborative web site (as wikipedia) thousand of people add releases, and it's great
today: discogs.com = 464,957 releases - 288,463 artists - 41,338 labels
whoooooooooooooooo, i love it
(i must admit the search engines and the display options are really really poor)

Now I'm arsed, see. Not in a bad way, but in the "I want this to be more the focus of the proposal than it is now" way. Lemme see what I can rustle up as far as changes to effect this sort of thing more...

A new draft The General Assembly of the United Nations,

SEEING great value in dispersal, creation and appreciation of art,

RECOGNIZING cultural good from experiencing artwork from different nations,

EMPATHIZING with the artist who struggles to sell his or her art in national markets, and DECLARING art a global enterprise:

1. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards” with the mandate to award artists from UN nations annually for excellence in art in various categories (determined by the UN each year, in cooperation with member nations’ input); and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers as 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

2. PROMOTES national education in the arts to young and old, and ARRANGES UN-funded schools for artistic instruction--including history, performance, theory, etc.--in nations interested in such schools, the schools operating on a curriculum agreeable to both nation and UN oversight, and staffed by national and/or UN employees (also as determined by both national and UN oversight);

3. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) for artists in member nations to sell their art to consumers throughout UN member nations which have a “UNAD” outlet (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

4. ESTABLISHES a set of grants and commissions to be awarded, in exchange for the promise of future art, to artists in member nations who show exceptional or potentially exceptional talent (as regarded by UN oversight whose search will center around winners of “UN Art Awards” and users of the “UN Art Database”); and COMMENDS individual orchestras, troupes, organizations, etc. that award similar grants and commissions;

5. SETS UP avenues of communication for those interested in contacting an artist listed in the “UNAD” for the purpose of providing this artist a grant or commission; and SETS UP methods of money transfer and art delivery, for such national-to-national grants and commissions and the subsequent delivery of an artistic work, through the “UNAD”;

6. PROMOTES and ADVERTISES, around the world, other international and national arts organizations which help artists secure funding, receive instruction, receive recognition, get published and so on; and ENCOURAGES artists, which have the resources, to help their fellow artists monetarily, educationally, or emotionally, and to distribute or publish free or low-cost art for the benefit of the public;

7. OUTLAWS member nation government’s from persecuting of artists for the creation or sale or possession of lawful art within that nation’s borders; and CALLS UPON individual member nations to diplomatically and/or economically oppose the oppression of artists or art in their neighbor nations, member or non.

Here. There are some changes. The text no longer attempts to define art and the UNAD and UNAA are a little more clear in their purpose and operations.

Added is clause 7, which promotes art by outlawing opression of art. This isn't a proposal about censorship or artists' rights, so I'm not going to go into what should and shouldn't be "lawful art". Right now it's just making national government be true to what their saying. If the government wants to outlaw an art form, it'll need to make it outlawed, rather than backdoor persecuting it. Anyway, I've just written this, so its use and necessity are still unclear to me.

EDIT: also added is clause 5, which adds meaning to Clause 6's "promote and advertise".

3. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) for artists in member nations to sell their art to consumers throughout UN member nations which have a “UNAD” outlet (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

Uhm... I'm not sure about this, but it seems to me that the underlined portion may be in violation of Resolution #4: UN taxation ban. Am I off base here?

Uhm... I'm not sure about this, but it seems to me that the underlined portion may be in violation of Resolution #4: UN taxation ban. Am I off base here?

We think this would be a "fee for service", not a tax, and that it would be legal.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

We think this would be a "fee for service", not a tax, and that it would be legal.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

Ditto - it is only applied when someone does something, rather than to everyone regardless of their actions.

In order to head off this proposal Corporal John The Arts has beeen promoted to Colonel

While we support this draft proposal in general, we do have two concerns:

We are unclear how and by whom the "UN oversight" would be accomplished.

We also have some serious reservations about item 7:

7. OUTLAWS member nation government’s from persecuting of artists for the creation or sale or possession of lawful art within that nation’s borders; and CALLS UPON individual member nations to diplomatically and/or economically oppose the oppression of artists or art in their neighbor nations, member or non.

We believe that any nation bent on "persecuting" artists would simply pass legislation making their work illegal. The proposal's provision wouldn't prevent this, since it protects only "lawful" art. Actually, we'd prefer to see item 7 deleted. We think that freedom of the arts is something that requires careful attention and should be covered in another proposal. Let this proposal promote the arts. Let's not try to solve all the problems of the art world in one fell swoop.

Hurlbot Barfanger
Ambassador to the United Nations

We the people of HeathenHaven support this legislation with the following exceptions.
Article 4. HRM Queen Aislinn wishes for a "standard" of quality to imposed on art that is sold within our borders. HeathenHaven has long held a very high standard of excellence witth regards to the arts. Our excellence in the arts, esp fine arts is one the pinnacles of HeathenHaven. Also as tourism is or main source if income, HRM and the arts commision of have NO desire to see our markets cheapened with inferior "consumption" art from foreign artists. We do however welcome the opportunity for collaboration with artists from other nations.
Article 7. We feel this article is against our national arts policy. There is much in the international arts markets that is viewed as "art" that is offensive to the people of HeathenHaven and our arts commision. Including but not limited to giclee prints, "consumption" art, and any art that is mass produced. We have a long tradition of prodicing only original art and as such these forms of "art" (I use the term loosely!) have always been banned in HeathenHaven.
We also emphatically ban any "art" depicts graphic sexuality in any form. this is against our cultural morals and illegal within HeathenHavens borders.

Sincerly
Count Gunther of Bragi
Minister of the Arts

Now that I know this proposal is not one of illegality (pardon my spelling if that is wrong), I ask you to look at the name of my nation for an obvious answer as to my position on the issue being raised herein.




<--Just realized her nation wears its political agenda on its sleeve.

Article 4. HRM Queen Aislinn wishes for a "standard" of quality to imposed on art that is sold within our borders. HeathenHaven has long held a very high standard of excellence witth regards to the arts. Our excellence in the arts, esp fine arts is one the pinnacles of HeathenHaven. Also as tourism is or main source if income, HRM and the arts commision of have NO desire to see our markets cheapened with inferior "consumption" art from foreign artists. We do however welcome the opportunity for collaboration with artists from other nations.
Well, first, in the current draft your nation could opt-out of the UNAD if it doesn't like what's sold there. But, I think you have point, and something I ay want to add. Lemme keep reading your post.

Article 7. We feel this article is against our national arts policy. There is much in the international arts markets that is viewed as "art" that is offensive to the people of HeathenHaven and our arts commision. Including but not limited to giclee prints, "consumption" art, and any art that is mass produced. We have a long tradition of prodicing only original art and as such these forms of "art" (I use the term loosely!) have always been banned in HeathenHaven.
We also emphatically ban any "art" depicts graphic sexuality in any form. this is against our cultural morals and illegal within HeathenHavens borders.
Again, I feel a need to clarify the legislation. The legislation does not say you may not ban art forms, or certain art pieces. It merely says that you shouldn't persecute artists who have created something "not banned".

And, as I read Ausserland's post, I'll probably get rid of that clause. Ausserland's right in that I really should keep this proposal down to what the UN can do to promote art, rather than injecting thought into how nations legislate or act. Granted, I still do think nations should not institute "soft bans" (persecuting artists of certain art without an actual ban on that art), but that would've needed to be in another proposal. One I probably will never have the time, nor the will to write.

Now, back to your opposition to point 4. I figure that would be fixed by a clause that says something to the effect of this:to further accommodate individual nations' decency and censorship laws, nations with a "UNAD" outlet have the right to decide what is and is not sold at their individual "UNAD" outlet.


While we support this draft proposal in general, we do have two concerns:

We are unclear how and by whom the "UN oversight" would be accomplished.
That is a tricky concern. I really just didn't want to try to get into forming a committee or other oversight in the UN in this resolution itself. I got the phrase "UN oversight", from a Hack post which was against people putting committees everywhere saying approximately "UN oversight should be assumed". I just figured I'd dodge the whole question of how the UN determines categories and services UNAd outlets by just using the blanket term "UN oversight". That might not have been the best strategy, and I'm very open to revisions of it.

Also, I'm going to revise clause 5. It currently says5. SETS UP avenues of communication for those interested in contacting an artist listed in the “UNAD” for the purpose of providing this artist a grant or commission; and SETS UP methods of money transfer and art delivery, for such national-to-national grants and commissions and the subsequent delivery of an artistic work, through the “UNAD”;I think I'll change that to this:5. SETS UP avenues of communication for those interested in contacting an artist listed in the “UNAD”, be it for correspondence, collaboration, or for awarding an artist an award, a grant or a commission;I just figure that once communication is set up then a grant or commission organization can transfer the money and artwork on its own.

Following is a draft with the changes I mentioned in the last post.

I believe, if we've worked through everything by then, I'll want to submit some time next week (Tuesday, most probably). But, again, that's only if everything is worked through.

The General Assembly of the United Nations,

SEEING great value in dispersal, creation and appreciation of art,

RECOGNIZING cultural good from experiencing artwork from different nations,

EMPATHIZING with the artist who struggles to sell his or her art in national markets, and DECLARING art a global enterprise:

1. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards” with the mandate to award artists from UN nations annually for excellence in art in various categories (determined by the UN each year, in cooperation with member nations’ input); and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers as 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

2. PROMOTES national education in the arts to young and old, and ARRANGES UN-funded schools for artistic instruction--including history, performance, theory, etc.--in nations interested in such schools, the schools operating on a curriculum agreeable to both nation and UN oversight, and staffed by national and/or UN employees (also as determined by both national and UN oversight);

3. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) for artists in member nations to sell their art to consumers throughout UN member nations which have a “UNAD” outlet (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

4. DECLARES, to accommodate individual nations' public decency and censorship laws, a member nation with a "UNAD" outlet has the right to decide what is and is not sold at its "UNAD" outlet(s).

4. ESTABLISHES a set of grants and commissions to be awarded, in exchange for the promise of future art, to artists in member nations who show exceptional or potentially exceptional talent (as regarded by UN oversight whose search will center around winners of “UN Art Awards” and users of the “UN Art Database”); and COMMENDS individual orchestras, troupes, organizations, etc. that award similar grants and commissions;

5. SETS UP avenues of communication for those interested in contacting an artist listed in the “UNAD”, be it for correspondence, collaboration, or for awarding an artist an award, a grant or a commission;

6. PROMOTES and ADVERTISES, around the world, other international and national arts organizations which help artists secure funding, receive instruction, receive recognition, get published and so on; and ENCOURAGES artists, which have the resources, to help their fellow artists monetarily, educationally, or emotionally, and to distribute or publish free or low-cost art for the benefit of the public;

The people of Cluichstan do not like the idea of UN-funded schools and are particularly against the proposal's intent to award grants to "deserving" artists.

Respectfully,
Sheik Nadnerb bin Cluich
Cluichstani Ambassador to the UN
Regional Delegate from Scybala

Will Hirota have to pay anything? If yes, we object. If no, we endorse.

Will Hirota have to pay anything? If yes, we object. If no, we endorse.

The money for the UN to do all of this will have to come from somewhere...

The government of St Edmund is in favour of the Arts, on a general basis, but doesn't really see a strong need for the UN to get involved in this... and definitely feels that any such programme should be financed purely by voluntary donations (and the transaction tax that it mentions) rather than by contributions that would be levied from all UN member-nations...

The General Assembly of the United Nations,

SEEING great value in dispersal, creation and appreciation of art,

RECOGNIZING cultural good from experiencing artwork from different nations,

EMPATHIZING with the artist who struggles to sell his or her art in national markets, and DECLARING art a global enterprise:

1. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards” with the mandate to award artists from UN nations annually for excellence in art in various categories (determined by the UN each year, in cooperation with member nations’ input); and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers as 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

What I would suggest in addition is that the stipend be accompanied by a mandate that once paid, it shall be used under explicit instructions that this be used by the artist for the furtherment of the arts, the funding of his artwork, or the establishment of a trust fund for the arts.

2. PROMOTES national education in the arts to young and old, and ARRANGES UN-funded schools for artistic instruction--including history, performance, theory, etc.--in nations interested in such schools, the schools operating on a curriculum agreeable to both nation and UN oversight, and staffed by national and/or UN employees (also as determined by both national and UN oversight);

Excellent, fully agreed with.

3. CREATES the “UN Art Database” (“UNAD”) for artists in member nations to sell their art to consumers throughout UN member nations which have a “UNAD” outlet (at a price determined by the artist, with a 1% transaction fee assessed by the UN); and DETERMINES that UN nations may opt-out of hosting a “UNAD” outlet within their borders, but otherwise will host at least one “UNAD” outlet for other member-nation-artists’ art to be purchased by that nation’s citizens;

Having initially been un-supportive of this idea, we now think that the adjustments make it far more realisable and feasible, thus we do not oppose its contents anymore.

4. DECLARES, to accommodate individual nations' public decency and censorship laws, a member nation with a "UNAD" outlet has the right to decide what is and is not sold at its "UNAD" outlet(s).

We are disappointed that a universal declaration of artists rights is not being thought of, but we accept this is a vital concession to pragmatism under the circumstances, given the already contentious nature of this proposal.

4. ESTABLISHES a set of grants and commissions to be awarded, in exchange for the promise of future art, to artists in member nations who show exceptional or potentially exceptional talent (as regarded by UN oversight whose search will center around winners of “UN Art Awards” and users of the “UN Art Database”); and COMMENDS individual orchestras, troupes, organizations, etc. that award similar grants and commissions;

Agreed, a fine suggestion, may I commend the Compadrian Otter Chorus to be among the first to be considered for funds.

5. SETS UP avenues of communication for those interested in contacting an artist listed in the “UNAD”, be it for correspondence, collaboration, or for awarding an artist an award, a grant or a commission;

Agreed.

6. PROMOTES and ADVERTISES, around the world, other international and national arts organizations which help artists secure funding, receive instruction, receive recognition, get published and so on; and ENCOURAGES artists, which have the resources, to help their fellow artists monetarily, educationally, or emotionally, and to distribute or publish free or low-cost art for the benefit of the public;

Splendid suggestion if I may say so, a beautiful humanitarian idea that will only further the cause of mixing humanism and compassion, with the persuit of the magnificent.

May the blessings of our otters be upon you.

Leonard Otterby
Ambassador for the Republic of Compadria to the U.N.

Will Hirota have to pay anything? If yes, we object. If no, we endorse.
So far as I can see, no. Since how the UN pays for things has not been determined yet (both Sophista's first attempt and the most recent attempt seem to have been abandoned), how the UN funds things seems to remain a mystery discovered only in individual role-plays of UN money-management (a big-seller among role-plays).

The people of Cluichstan do not like the idea of UN-funded schools and are particularly against the proposal's intent to award grants to "deserving" artists.
Well, I guess my response would have to depend on why you object to UN-funded music schools (which are only in nations interested in them). But you may have a point about grants and commissions. In a normal grant or commission selection a jury is appointed by the person or organization setting up the grant or commission. This jury will set the criteria by which art will be selected, or who is "deserving". These criteria are very diverse, and hte UN would have to choose one of them, promoting those pieces which fit well into that criteria. I really don't think I have any reason for the UN to be promoting art which fits into one set of criteria over the others. I'll think it over, but I'll likely get rid of that clause.

The government of St Edmund is in favour of the Arts, on a general basis, but doesn't really see a strong need for the UN to get involved in this... and definitely feels that any such programme should be financed purely by voluntary donations (and the transaction tax that it mentions) rather than by contributions that would be levied from all UN member-nations...
Ah! I almost forgot that, to add what the 1% assessment must be used for. Good call.

And about the voluntary donations as funding (as least as more prominent funding), that's perking my interest at the moment. I'll sleep on it, and tell you if I'm still perked tomorrow.

Our nation looks with favor upon the arts, and applauds the esteemed representative of Powerhungry Chipmunks for their diligent work. However, We must rise in opposition to part of this draft, namely clause 1:

1. ESTABLISHES The “UN Art Awards” with the mandate to award artists from UN nations annually for excellence in art in various categories (determined by the UN each year, in cooperation with member nations’ input); and INCLUDES a stipend (awarded alongside each award) valued by UN appraisers as 6 months’ living wages in the artists’ individual nationstates of residence;

It is the belief of Our nation that the pursuit of art for material gain has a corrupting influence upon the artistic soul. Monetary awards such as proposed here run the risk of degrading the very spirit of excellence which this resolution seeks to promote. Let the starving artist starve, We say--it is not right for us to ease the suffering that true Art springs from.

We urge, therefore the esteemed represntative to re-think this clause. While We agree with the principle of a "UN Art Award", We insist it be non-monetary in nature, lest the NSUN inadvertantly harm what they seek to help.