There's a certain segment of the population in every Canadian centre. By centre, I mean every town over 1000 people, and by segment, I mean the high-earning, upper-middle class WASP. Who are these people? Well, they often believe in fiscal conservatism while supporting a social safety net, and they frequently go to events like "the opera" because they believe it's something they ought to do, although when asked, many of them aren't sure they "get" it. They work as lawyers, doctors, upper management in Government; sometimes they're well enough off that they don't really need to work at all. Additionally, they have pleasant if not 'good' taste, believe that Christmas comes with a cinnamon and evergreen scent, have lots of large books that they've never read but leave out in strategic places so that people think they're clever, have a dog, a cat, and two cars in their garage. Often, the wives work, but don't really need to; it's mostly to "keep busy" or "get out of the house" or even to put their "university education to use". Frequently these women are blonde, though not by nature. Probably, these people are all over the western world.

You know the type.

They're many of the people that go to fundraisers and galas and drop wads of cash for questionable products in support of hospitals and causes. In large centres, they also support the Arts. In smaller centres, where frequently the Arts struggle for notice, they don't. Well, Whitehorse has a shockingly high number of these people, because it is, primarily, a Government town, employing many people into the public sector, to, so far as I can tell, run a territory that wouldn't have much a population to speak of if it weren't, you know, for the government. Back in Toronto, when I worked at the ROM in the Membership Department, I was disgustingly good at parting these people from their money and making them feel special at events (mainly so that they would continue to be parted with their money).

Well, tonight I saw that segment of the population here in Whitehorse and I realised something. With the exception of possibly 20 or so of the 200 people (possibly more) in attendance, these people are not making it to the Gallery. To the Theatre, probably some of them, but into the Gallery for more than just an Intermission stroll? Not so much. They are not taking an active role in the Visual Arts at all. And tonight, watching them ogle fashions created by a local, rather pleasant - if not to my tastes - though not spectacular fashion designer who seems to specialise in gowns and party frocks, I realised we're missing out. We being the Arts Centre. We're missing out big time. When you can actually consider, without batting an eyelash, purchasing a charming, if not particularly interesting, wool toque for 70 to 110 dollars, or frou-frou organza numbers for a whole hell of a lot more, despite living in a climate that requires Sorel -40 boots for five months of the year, I need to meet you. I NEED TO TAKE YOUR MONEY.

I once swore I would not do fundraising again, and mostly, I mean it, but the Arts Centre does nothing to raise funds. It's the most pathetic Arts organisation, ever They have two boards, a board of directors and a foundation board. The foundation board is responsible for raising money specifically for the Gallery collection, so I've been told, and in five years, this board has not raised a finger, nor raised a penny. Coincidence? Hah, not likely. They make the excuse that as the population ages, they will ramp up their activities to gain those sweet, sweet bequests - you know, the gifts from or in the name of dead people. Right.

And what of all the living people? What of the incredibly well-paid two-income government households with money burning their pockets? Those people who wear clothes that look casual, but you just know they paid lots of money for them, and who drive SUVs but don't seem to understand the 'utility' part of the name? Who can comfortably take a family of four from the Yukon to the Carribean for their holidays? The very same people who were at tonights fashion show?

Right, well, the foundation doesn't seem to see the wide world of wealthy people, even though it is apparently made up of them. The reason, I think, is because Whitehorse is the home of Government hand-out and entitlement. Truly, the home is not Ottawa, like people seem to think, it's here. Where people get paid $150K a year to head commissions that do nothing but make plans that go no where.

Like I said, why the hell aren't they being milked for Arts support? They'll dish out 230 bucks for a necklace that is made of semi-precious stones on two strings with a bobble, but they won't put five dollars in the Gallery admission box. What is wrong with that picture? If, in my time here, I can run an event each year that brings money IN to the Gallery, I will be thrilled. A couple of events, a doubling (at least) of school attendance, and a handful of exciting shows that I have curated for the Community Gallery, then I will have a fat portfolio that I can take anywhere in the world.

But first... first I need to do some homework.