Welcome to mine!! I'm a DC native living at the intersection of the arts, the LGBT community, the nonprofit sector, politics & policy, social media, & technology!!
Here's the rest of the post, if you aren't on Facebook:
Actually found the timing of reading wonderful, as I had recently played around with some numbers I think are more common than not, for non-equity actor compensation, and flipping the switch from thinking about how much I was receiving to how much I was giving.
For example, say two weeks of rehearsal, with rehearsing for 30 hours each week, paid $120. Not only did I calculate that the effective hourly rate was $2, using minimum wage, I went from thinking I would be making $120 to realize that I was actually GIVING $315, because that amount of time at minimum wage is worth at least $435.
The irony is that often times the actors who are able to afford that kind of pay cut work another job that subsidize the creative one, which is a form of privilege, in a weird way. And, I guess this may be another way of saying that minimum wage in the arts is a crucial part of the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation as anything else.
But this is what happens when we as a society (and I put this on arts administrators) focus more on and put more value in the arts than in artists. Could you imagine an arts advocacy organization in DC that committed to affordable housing and minimum wage issues? But that would be more artist advocacy than arts advocacy.
I think it's time to flip the script.
What do you think? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.
So I thought I'd just share one of the highlights of Maryland Arts Day, which if you didn't check out my Tweet Cheat Sheet for it, you should.
But other than connecting with legislators and public officials, I love the chance to catch up with colleagues in the arts you might not have seen in a while, as well as meeting new friends. So this blog's dedicated to several of them.
I remembered her because during one of the opportunities for discussion, she mentioned how she pays for her child to go to Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC because there isn't a comprable high school of the arts in Montgomery County. Granted, this isn't to say that there aren't MC high schools with good and quality arts programs, but I digress.
While waiting to meet with our district's delegates, all the arts advocates continued to get to know each other better, and she started telling her story. One of her current projects, if I remember correctly, is to provide a comprehensive resource for high school students and young adults, to know what their options for professional education, training, and development are, in the arts.
I thought this was admirable, and definitely hope to take more soon!!
The next new friend I made was actually a pair of gents involved with the Veteran Artist Program. Here's just an excerpt for the about page on their website.
The arts have been a powerful, therapeutic tool in the healing process for many combat veterans reintegrating back into society and transitioning back into civilian life. The arts, however, also represent something else. Hope. Dreams. A Future.
Whether it is painting, writing, performing on stage, acting in a movie, or singing opera, the possibilities are limitless. VAP exists to provide other veterans the encouragement, motivation, and means to follow their passion in unchartered territory. Through networking, collaborations, mentorship, and actual productions veterans can realize it is not too late to pursue their dreams.
They debuted this phenomenal PSA at Maryland Arts Day, "Art is an Option".
And a third new friend I made was Paula Ross, Director of Development at the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy. They've got a lot of amazing things going on and coming up, but one thing in particular she shared was how they started experimenting with Kickstarter, by way of doing a fundraiser for their upcoming production of Thumbelina. And the video was adorable!!
Plus, they made their goal, and then some!! They have one day left, and if you've worked in the arts, you know that there is always a need for more funding, so if you can afford to give any amount, I recommend you do.
Anyway, that's that. Just thought I'd share, because the DC area arts community just keeps getting smaller and smaller.
So several friends shared this video on Facebook, one which previously made its rounds, but has resurfaced, as such things often do online.
To which I shared with the following:
So thanks to Andrew, Salman, & Joe for sharing this video, which I also shared previously but couldn't help but watch again. Trying not to tear up from sheer and unbridled warm squishy feelings, mostly due to being able to hear her reaction to each addition to the experience.
Also, the arts manager in me can't help but kick in and wonder if established arts organizations (in general) are missing a chance to be a part of crafting experiences like this, engaging & participatory, to bring the arts to people where they are, instead of just having audiences come to them?
I am aware that I might also just be out of it, and this is being done more than I know, as well as that a proposal is a very singular example for a singular audience.
Don't get me wrong, I believe the theatre and the stage are a sacred place and will always have an essential and crucial part in my life and in society. But there's just something beautiful and magical about this...
At some point I wonder if it's an American thing, because in other countries I feel like you to have the dearth of citizens who proclaim themselves not artistic when interacting with someone who's pursued any semblance of an artistic life, whether professional, community, or whatever.
I refer to moments like when people find out I'm a dancer, and (as if to validate my own ability) they immediately testify to the lack of any ability to move rhythmically in a coordinated fashion.
But I digress. I love these instances of participatory and public art, like flash mobs. In fact you can check out my post from last month about Holiday Flash Mobs, with what I thought was a diverse selection.
Anyway, what do you think? Is there an opportunity for artists and arts organizations as a sector to help make those special moments in people's lives, those celebrations, that much more special? Or even to make the every day and mundane ones extraordinary?
And has it already been happening and (as I mentioned above) I just don't know? If that's the case, please help keep me updated and share any recent public displays of art.
Either way, I'm excited and inspired!! Definitely looking to see the opportunities in my own life to do things like this,
So I'm in this group for social media managers of LGBT choruses, and I posted a link about the Nashville Symphony Orchestra's recent audience engagement efforts, Nashville Symphony 'Tweet Seats' reach broader audience. There were several reactions, one in favor, one willing to explore, and one adamantly against it, going so far as to say it was an idea they hated, that the audience's focus belonged on stage, and that the concept of Tweet Seats was discouraging. Here's my response:
Tom, as an artist & producer, I completely agree with you. But as an arts administrator & a social media coordinator, I think it would be ignorant (pardon my bluntness) for us not explore the pros and cons of tweet seats, and to do so objectively, and maybe not even objectively, but from the audience members' point of view, not the artist.
Don't get me wrong, I struggle with this because as an artist, the theatre is a sacred space for me. It's a place where experiences happen in, and ONLY in, that moment, and it sends chills down my artistic spine to think about encouraging an activity that takes an audience member out of that moment. Especially as people increasingly seem to struggle with disconnecting in general, live performance is one of the few remaining places that offers respite from that.
But with tweet seats, the only person who loses out when tweeting is that audience member. And there are all sorts of reasons audience members might lose focus on the art: it's not their cup of tea, they're bored, whatever.
On some level, I actually find it relieving that someone might be so moved by something they just saw and/or heard, that they were compelled to share their reaction with the Twittersphere. Yes, they might be losing focus of what's happening in the moment, but it's because of what JUST happened, not in spite of. And it's probably the only reason which makes me stop that visceral knee-jerk reaction to the image of someone on their mobile device at a live performance.
So...I can't help but wonder if that might just be worth the sacrifice. There's something powerful and I would argue even valuable in that immediate response that you don't get from tweets at intermission or after the performance.
And if you empower a handful of audience members to be your real-time virtual ambassadors during a performance, sharing a digital window into something that is still an exclusive experience to those who are present, then I personally believe it is our duty to see if the benefits might not outweigh the losses.
So...there. I'm obviously conflicted, but also playing serious Devil's Advocate. I will say, I have yet to hear an argument against tweet seats that actually talks about the benefits. To those who argue against them, there are none. Which to me is a red flag that any kind of objectivity is not present.
And, I hate to compare art to entertainment, as well as the fact that they exist on a spectrum and it's rarely either or, but I have a bunch of friends who saw the Madonna concert last night, and updated their status (apparently she was over 2 hours late) and took photos, some very, VERY close to the stage.
While I don't advocate taking photos, that example just reinforces the power of sharing the moment with one's virtual community, IN that moment.
But I digress. What are the Pro's and what are the Con's? What are they, in particular, as an artist, as an arts administrator, as an audience member? I believe that second question is particularly crucial because it provides much needed context to what might be our subjective responses and reactions.
So, what do you think?
JR
P.S. I started a new blog, Hashtag the Arts, specifically dedicated to Social Media and the Arts. And when I set up its Pinterest account, I created a board specifically dedicated to Tweet Seats; check it out.
So while trying to stay informed about the various reactions to last week's Supreme Court decision, with regard to President Obama's Affordable Care Act, I've been trying to pay particular attention to the decision's impact on the artist community.
Below are three selections, I've come across and highly recommend checking out.
Here's an article at the Huffington Post, A Victory for the Creative Economy. This was written by Adam Hutt, the Executive Director of Fractured Atlas. If you're not familiar with the organization, here is their mission:
Fractured Atlas is a non-profit organization that serves a national community of artists and arts organizations. Our programs and services facilitate the creation of art by offering vital support to the artists who produce it. We help artists and arts organizations function more effectively as businesses by providing access to funding, healthcare, education, and more, all in a context that honors their individuality and independent spirit. By nurturing today's talented but underrepresented voices, we hope to foster a dynamic and diverse cultural landscape of tomorrow.
The final article is up at Americans for the Arts', ARTSblog, The Supreme Court's Healthcare Decision & The Arts. The piece was written by Narric Rome, senior director of federal affairs and arts education at AFTA. And if you're not familiar with AFTA, here's some info from their about page:
Founded in 1960, Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. From offices in Washington, DC and New York City, we provide a rich array of programs that meet the needs of over 150,000 members and stakeholders. We are dedicated to representing and serving local communities and to creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts.
All-in-all, a huge step forward, particularly for individual artists. This isn't to say that there isn't more work to do, and all of it is moot if artists aren't aware of or don't take advantage of the benefits they get from the ACA.
Any other articles others have come across with regard to how this act and last week's decision affects the artist community? Does this affect and significantly change your own situation with regard to increasing your healthcare options and actually making things more affordable?
Will definitely be keeping track of this, especially as the law continues to be implemented over the next couple of years.
JR
P.S. If you're interested in following any of the authors of the pieces written on Twitter, here they are:
