When one thinks about art and culture, people often conjure up images of old dusty museums, paintings and objects behind hermetically sealed glass. Less imagined are spaces for community, contestation and engagement.

With controversies arising from issues of representation, cultural management and repatriation, it seems that art and culture is at a crossroads. Before we can understand how to move forward, we need to understand. Why is art and culture important?

Featuring Constance Devereaux (associate professor in the School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut), Arthur Carkner (career unionist, member, producer and former president of the Workers' History Museum), Jenn Budney (professional research associate, arts journalist and former curator), Jonathan Paquette (Research Chair in International Francophonie on Cultural Heritage Policies, University of Ottawa), Helanna Gessner (curatorial, exhibits and collections manager for the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, Saskatoon).