Performer-y friends! THE GHOST LIGHT, a newsprint mag focused on independent arts culture, is working on our next issue. Were interested in a conversation about PROFESSION and HOBBY in the live arts community. Many of us love what we do. Many of us strive to make a living doing it. Many of us get paid doing it, but dont rely on it for our living. Many of us do it out of sheer love, and dont care if we get paid or not. But, realistically, MOST of us are sprinkled somewhere in between these things. What is YOUR outlook? What did it take for you to get where you are today? What is the perception of your work by friends, strangers, fans, employers? What do you wish the general public knew about the difference (or similarities) between professional and hobby performance? I know this can be a sensitive issue, but I think its important, and very relevant to our community as our cultural renaissance continues to blossom. ***My only request is that we keep the conversation respectful and focused on our own experiences.*** Personally, I am a firm believer in the sustainability of the arts as a profession - especially those who demonstrate exceptional talent, commitment to their craft, and professionalism on their end. At the same time, I think live art should be accessible for members of the community from a broad spectrum to take part. I also think its a little unfair, and kind of strange, to insist on paying EVERYONE who makes art, whether they consider themselves artists or not. Income should be earned, right? (whoa – that sounded really capitalist. Who said that?) Though what it takes to earn that revenue is malleable – sure, might be pure talent, might be extensive training, might just be really badass marketing savvy. In the end, I think both the professionals and the hobbyists are imperative for a culturally vibrant and healthy community. And I think the better we understand one another, and find common ground and respond one another’s role, the better we’ll be able to work together for an artistically rich city. If you have thoughts you want to share with the Ghost Light, please feel free to send them my way. You can comment here, you can drop me a private message, you can email Ghost Light editor Johnny at busejf@gmail. Doesn’t matter if you’re from STL or not – send ‘em our way. Contributions can be any format – essay, personal reflection/memory, print art, video, poem, list of facts, sound bite, etc. We welcome a range of forms. I can’t wait to learn what you think about this ☺
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 22:49:55 +0000
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