Chicago Dancemakers Forum

What do YOU think about the topic of Supply and Demand in the arts?

On November 3, CDF co-hosted a panel discussion with Chicago Artist Resources on the topic of Supply and Demand in the Arts. As mentioned in Zachary Whittenburg's Salon NOTEBOOK essay, the conversation was lively, and touched on many relevant topics.

So what do you think the arts community should do to address the issues of increased supply in art production, and not enough audience demand and financial resource? Share your opinions!

Replies: [1] | Author: CDF

pay attention (yes/haha)
Hi Everyone, I was at the discussion and found it an enlightening and frustrating exercise in double-speak and patronization (yes/haha again!). It became clear to me that several of the people and organizations that profess to support artists in various capacities are actually NOT allies to artists and in fact (re)produce systems and circumstances that undermine our substantive empowerment and change of status. Its as if 'they' are humoring us in our own folly and delusion. Art, by their thinking, should exist but at the same time it is completely an indulgence of the artists' capriciousness. They support the existence of art projects (and administrators, of course!, haha #3) but not artists. Following the general line of their argument causes me to question their sincere belief in the role, function, value and impact of art in society as a whole. As well, it was offered that if you cannot earn your keep through art that perhaps you should give it up, get a job that exists in the established economic system of value exchange and channel all that creative energy into a blog. mmm, with friends and 'supporters' like this, who needs enemies? I understand the multiple perspectives, history, and complexity of the larger situations we face together but clearly we need to establish NEW TERMS and CONDITIONS that better support a creative change in dynamic. Now. The time is ripe to really, really put your (limited)money where your mouth is and to put your sincere beliefs and values into practice in the 'real-world'. A related topic as extension of and consequence to this discussion is the rumble from the recent Marina Abramovic fundraiser event at MOCA. The points made by Sara Wookey (see link) reverberate deeply among all levels in the performing arts and beg larger questions which dont have easy answers. http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/751666/an-open-letter-from-a-dancer-who-refused-to-participate-in-marina-abramovic%E2%80%99s-moca-performance#comment-form I haven't given up yet....and I hope you haven't either. ---Nicole ****Obviously I am speaking to certain points from the panel discussion and have not acknowledged the many HELPFUL + SUPPORTIVE people+ orgs, etc. etc. that do exist. I am sharing my pov and hope to fuel further discussion with ACTION. Thank you for the forum and participation.
Posted by: nicole \| Updated: 2011-11-24 23:41:28