I do agree. Now as a writer and previously as an actor. I remember back then in the 90s, as an actor, you had to get headshots done by a professional photographer. That was $500. Then you had to get them touched up. That was about $250. Then you had to get them printed in card form as thank you notes for auditions and as headshots for agents and managers. That was $300. If you finally got into the Screen Actors Guild, you had to pay $1500 to get in. Where were you supposed to get all of this to set up to get out there to become an actor when all the money you made at the restaurant or wherever you worked went to food and rent? I ended up pawning a ring my grandmother had left me to pay for all of those things. I figured she would have wanted me to to follow my dream but it broke my heart.
That story about your grandmother's ring is sad and really sounds right out of a novel. I agree, I'd like to think a family member you truly cared about your wellbeing and desires would respect this kind of bold decision.
I’m all for entitlements for artists and a more active support of artists in our society generally. Nordic countries are much more intent on this than we are. They incorporate support for art and artists into many aspects of their budgetary planning from healthcare, unemployment services, and educational support, even to having a principle in which all public construction budgets have a portion allocated to incorporate art into public areas. They see art as a public good, not merely as the byproduct of the tortured, isolated genius. I can say, however, for myself, that I’ve been fortunate as a poet in that I’ve been able to work successfully in the corporate world as an administrative assistant my whole life. That’s provided a steady income and healthcare. Of course, not everyone can do that, as you point out.
Good perspective, Michael, and appreciated. Nordic/Scandinavian countries are impressive in so many ways when it comes to social programs but, of course, they have small and homogenous populations so a much different picture than places like the U.S.
While I suspect their homogeneity contributes to making it easier for their having such a stance, I don't know that it completely explains the difference in our attitudes toward art, i.e., their seeing it as a public good as opposed to a product. Certainly if we saw art truly as a public good as a whole, we could find a way to support it more actively rather than disjointedly as we do. Some of it may be rooted also in our culture's tendency to commodify everything. We also tend to be a romantic culture, eulogizing the isolated genius over the laboring craftsman. Of course, I'm generalizing here. But I think these attitudes are very much our culture and impact how our culture treats its artists.
I think it would be great if artists had more support. It would be great if schools, and societies in general would recognize the benefits that accrue from the variety of intelligences and skills.
You know, I have a friend in Chicago who goes to visit WPA murals and other beautiful things. We could choose - at any moment - to value art and universal healthcare.
I know that artists are subsidized in Germany and Denmark. It's a great idea.
I don't know if any strings re attached as to what they produce.It's been a lot easier for a dancer/choreographer from Israel I know to live in Berlin than at home. There are a lot of Israelis there. I doubt that getting health care as well as some income is a struggle.
I do agree. Now as a writer and previously as an actor. I remember back then in the 90s, as an actor, you had to get headshots done by a professional photographer. That was $500. Then you had to get them touched up. That was about $250. Then you had to get them printed in card form as thank you notes for auditions and as headshots for agents and managers. That was $300. If you finally got into the Screen Actors Guild, you had to pay $1500 to get in. Where were you supposed to get all of this to set up to get out there to become an actor when all the money you made at the restaurant or wherever you worked went to food and rent? I ended up pawning a ring my grandmother had left me to pay for all of those things. I figured she would have wanted me to to follow my dream but it broke my heart.
OMG, Sara, that is a lot of $$$ to lay out. Oof.
That story about your grandmother's ring is sad and really sounds right out of a novel. I agree, I'd like to think a family member you truly cared about your wellbeing and desires would respect this kind of bold decision.
I’m all for entitlements for artists and a more active support of artists in our society generally. Nordic countries are much more intent on this than we are. They incorporate support for art and artists into many aspects of their budgetary planning from healthcare, unemployment services, and educational support, even to having a principle in which all public construction budgets have a portion allocated to incorporate art into public areas. They see art as a public good, not merely as the byproduct of the tortured, isolated genius. I can say, however, for myself, that I’ve been fortunate as a poet in that I’ve been able to work successfully in the corporate world as an administrative assistant my whole life. That’s provided a steady income and healthcare. Of course, not everyone can do that, as you point out.
Good perspective, Michael, and appreciated. Nordic/Scandinavian countries are impressive in so many ways when it comes to social programs but, of course, they have small and homogenous populations so a much different picture than places like the U.S.
While I suspect their homogeneity contributes to making it easier for their having such a stance, I don't know that it completely explains the difference in our attitudes toward art, i.e., their seeing it as a public good as opposed to a product. Certainly if we saw art truly as a public good as a whole, we could find a way to support it more actively rather than disjointedly as we do. Some of it may be rooted also in our culture's tendency to commodify everything. We also tend to be a romantic culture, eulogizing the isolated genius over the laboring craftsman. Of course, I'm generalizing here. But I think these attitudes are very much our culture and impact how our culture treats its artists.
You make good points 👌
I have always heard that "all great societies appreciate the arts" — indicating to me that the U.S. has never really understood the value ...
As a society, we don't give much respect to the artists or the artwork, overall.
Artist as vocation is always met with doubt and concern.
So much more to discuss on the subject of course.
I think it would be great if artists had more support. It would be great if schools, and societies in general would recognize the benefits that accrue from the variety of intelligences and skills.
You know, I have a friend in Chicago who goes to visit WPA murals and other beautiful things. We could choose - at any moment - to value art and universal healthcare.
Yup, it's a choice.
In Philly, we have the Mural Arts Program. It's very cool.
Funding for everything is going away presently... but hopefully that is only in the near-term.
Attention to the public good is going away period.
I know that artists are subsidized in Germany and Denmark. It's a great idea.
I don't know if any strings re attached as to what they produce.It's been a lot easier for a dancer/choreographer from Israel I know to live in Berlin than at home. There are a lot of Israelis there. I doubt that getting health care as well as some income is a struggle.