Are the Arts Essential? For listeners to this programme, that seems a no-brainer, you'd think. But six people who make their living in creative fields are about to go head to head to debate the question - and half of them will be arguing against it. The debate is part of the Auckland Arts Festival and we wanted to get an idea of each side's arguments. We invited writer Madeleine Chapman from the affirmative, and arguing the negative, comedian James Nokise. So how do you prepare for this debate? Lynn Freeman asks Madeleine if she chose to argue the Arts are indeed essential, or would it be more fun to play Devil's advocate? "Are the Arts Essential" is debated on Tueday at the Civic Club as part of the Auckland Arts Festival.