Art. Money. Artists.
I was not exactly encouraged to pursue theatre. I know I am not the only artist who has not been encouraged to pursue their artistic journey. Friends and colleagues have similar stories as to who has or has not supported them. I could go into all that, but that’s not this rant.
So why? Why is that? Why are artists constantly confronted by reactions such as: “And how are you going to make money?” (the most typical in my experience).
I bet if any of your friends, relatives, or loved ones have pursued art or have talked with you about pursuing creative endeavors like theatre, that they are ALREADY ACUTELY AWARE that being an artist does not exactly equate to a stable, lucrative lifestyle.
The first part of this rant is based off of something I heard my friend, let’s call them, Olivia, say. We were at a bar. Drinking. Playing pool. TRYING to wind down with our respective partners. We brought up another friend who is also a theatre artist like I am, let’s call them Queenie. Olivia is studying to be a sex and relationship therapist and Queenie is working as an office manager at a firm, but also is involved with a theatre company and tries to work some shows on the side. I was also talking about how I go from my 10a-6p job at a theatre company and then head straight to another theatre from 6p-10p working on a show, and this is all 5 days a week. While Olivia and I were talking she said, “Yeah, it takes someone with real passion to pursue theatre. You really have to love it to do all of that.” And she’s right. Both of my jobs are stipend gigs. I am not paid hourly. I am not paid what my work is worth. BUT, I’m still doing those jobs. Why? Why am I willing to work stipend jobs? Because I want to do what I love. And I am. I’m doing what I love. I work admin for a theatre by day and work creatively for a theatre by night. And I love it. Am I thriving? No. What I am being paid barely covers rent and transportation.
But that is how much these theaters can pay me. The arts are underfunded and undervalued.
Those who get to see the art are typically older and have money to spare. Many artists, and in my experience theatre artists, would NOT be able to afford the work/shows that they create. Let that one sink in. Please. I would not be able to afford the art I create or help create, given the pay that is given to me by those very theaters.
It’s not exactly their fault either. Half of local/regional theaters funding come from donors, they do not and cannot exactly operate like normal business. The arts and theatre are not valued enough to operate the way we, the artists want them to because we need money to do it. If they were, I would be able to get paid a living wage. To get paid what my work is worth.
Can you imagine what an artist could do if given the tools (money) to do it? Can you imagine them reaching their full potential? Can you imagine the revolutionary art that would take over this world if artists were given what they needed? Can you imagine?
If you are talking to someone who is discussing their pursuit of art, theatre, dance, music, and anything creative that will take time, energy, and care (WHICH ALL ART COSTS LOTS OF MONEY TO PRODUCE) chances are, they’ve already heard those response about not making money. Chances are they are really passionate about what they do. Chances are, they are telling you this in the hopes that your response will be different. That it will be a response of support. What will you support?