Conference: Culture and Art in a Populist Age

October 30, 2017

Dupont Circle Hotel, Washington DC

This one-day conference that includes FSI scholar Sir Roger Scruton and friends Heather Mac Donald and Daniel Asia explores the immediate future of the arts within the dynamic and controversial political environment that has emerged in the wake of the 2016 elections. How does the recent strand of populism affect the arts and humanities moving forward? Are the high arts insulated from the vicissitudes of quotidian life? Or does a populist surge speak directly to the arts in a post-Enlightenment era? Conference participants are uniquely suited to address these questions. And FSI founder Andrew Balio will also be contributing as a respondent to these talks.

Heather Mac Donald

The Manhattan Institute
“Vandals at the Opera House: Identity Politics Comes to the Opera Stage”

Eric Gibson

Wall Street Journal
“Headwinds on the Road to a Democratic Culture”

Sir Roger Scruton

The University of Buckingham and the Future Symphony Institute
“Why Taste Matters”

Daniel Asia and Bruce Cole

University of Arizona and the Ethics & Public Policy Center, respectively
“Consonance and Dissonance in the Music and Art World”

Robert E. Gordon and Aaron D. Mobley

University of Arizona and Berkeley City College, respectively
“The Value of Art and Music in a Popular Culture”

For the complete agenda and to register, visit the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Space is limited. Sponsored by the University of Arizona American Culture and Ideas Initiative and the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

These are some of our favorite thinkers all gathered in one place to reflect on a very important and timely subject. We look forward to meeting you there!