Thoughts from 'Artists'

I always feel weird putting up posts or smart, insightful words my friends put up and know that the main categorization that I put them under is 'artist'.  The word 'artist' is something easy for the public to separate a sense of 'us' and 'them' from.  But in truth, I do fundamentally believe that everyone has artistic talent, everyone has a desire, and capability to express themselves artistically.  Which is not to detract from us who make a career out of it, some of us choose to do it professionally, whatever that means.

But in the interests of making 'artists' less faceless, less like French mimes, less like your high school Drama queen who waxed Shakespeare at you, less like that hippie chick you always see walking down the street with a sketchbook, artists are people, Canadians, in this case, who are interested in presenting ideas, truths, and stories to their audiences.  As wide and as varied as our nation is, we produce artists of ever walk, vocation, media, and message there is.  Here's some interesting snippets of responses since the Sun Media explosion.

"Artists do not receive grants. We administer them for arts patrons to subsidize their ticket prices. This means that art can be affordable for all Canadians.

Artists, in fact, are net contributors to the true cost of art creation, subsidizing their work by holding down other, additional full time jobs.

I sometimes feel like the amount that audience members are subsidized for a performance should be mentioned on the tickets. 

Something like "Cost for your seat - $128.00, Paid for by the artists - $79, Paid for by gamblers - $20, Paid for by the government - $9.00, You Pay = $20.00"
But it would make the tickets too big." 

--Clinton Carew (Independent theatre and media artist residing in Edmonton)

"What if all artists went on strike for one full year? No new films, no concerts, no theatre, no new records, no comedy shows, no art galleries open, no dancing, no new television shows to watch, no creative Internet videos and so on and so on... Nothing. For one full year. I'd like to see then if people find the arts important."

--Arlen Konopaki (World touring improviser and director)

What might resonate more for them is, "Why is art fair game?" Many, many other industries receive subsidies, and many of them make less of a return on that investment. It might not seem important to them, but it's important to millions of others.

Seriously, though: 118 Ave now has stable tenants overlooking the streets, and they're committed to contributing to the neighbourhood. Many of them have already been renting space for rehearsals and performances, which bring people out and about. And people walking around enjoying themselves prevents crime.

--Mari Sasano (Freelance Edmonton journalist)

I'll post more once I finish rehearsal tonight, or comment below to get your thoughts on the unfolding situation added!