This is an issue close to my heart... Artists deserve to make a living wage for their art. It costs money to produce art, it takes time, training and skill. For corporations to approach artists to present their art for free is grotesque. Now- I give art away all the time- for auctions, for gifts- the same way I end up giving advice to friends for their nonprofits, and the theatre I volunteer for is an all volunteer staff... this is totally normal in the arts.
Do we deserve the tax write off or the stipends we get- yes. Does this dictate the work we do to support our passions- no. But artists should not be expected to give private industry or friends and family free or reduced cost on their items- otherwise we will never make it our livelihood. Rant inspired by Internet behemoth Google... Read about the debate here and here.
Note- when I say living wage we are a far way from it- musicians, artists and performers are all included and make relatively little compared to the cost of creating their art0 say nothing of the value. ArtistTrust has some good programs to help get artist's health care and manage businesses. If art is such an important part of our lives and culture why do we refuse to take care of our artists, our musicians and our nonprofit workers making it all happen?
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