So...
I stepped out for a moment and before I knew it a few months had passed - funny how that happens isn't it? Other things take priority and suddenly you forget bits of your routine that seemed so embedded in how you used to do business.
It was while working with a group of artists in Carlow today that I was prompted to put cyber pen to paper again. One's credibility about the value of (social) networking starts to wane when one isn't in fact walking one's talk. Today's workshop was about earning opportunities for artists (the link to the resources for the day is here) and the bulk of the day (once again) seemed to focus on the challenge for individual practitioners who want public recognition for their work to take charge of their practice/business and 'sell' themselves and their wares. It's a perpetual theme in workshops with artists - the personal nature of the work is what makes it unique and distinctive but it also contributes to the dilemma of how to promote yourself without it feeling like a form of prostitution. I really want to run a group or workshop on confidence building/anxiety management for artists - any takers?
Today's workshop was organised by Visual Artists Ireland and Artlinks - both sites have great resources for artists in all disciplines.
Oh yes, forgive me for the disappearing act...
My initial reaction to your post was an unease at the idea that artists should try to adapt to an economic model whose excesses and consequent crisis should allow us to consider other models.
This doesn't mean that artists should live in penury because they invest in something other than stocks and property. But instead of selling their wares, persuading consumers to buy their product, what if artists really believed that their work was valuable and realised that they had a skill that other people needed? Then the process becomes less about selling and more about making others aware of what they have to offer them. It seems to me a more positive place from which artists can make the relationships that will support them.
Posted by Fearghus | May 7, 2009 4:00 PM
I agree with you Fearghus but what has struck me as interesting is that many artists with whom I speak don't know that existing state funding is available to them (i.e. the per cent for art is still perceived to be about three dimensional work in the middle of roundabouts even though artists of all disciplines are being commissioned). I don't think earning a living has to be about any kind of compromise at all. And the earning a living by whatever means I believe is directly related to the lack of confidence on the part of many artists that they have something unique to offer - but that speaks to the profound cultural illiteracy at work in this country as well...
Posted by annette | May 7, 2009 4:48 PM