The Starving Artist
Must we suffer to thrive?
It’s a conversation I’ve had time and time again, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A STARVING ARTIST!!!!!
After hosting my first exhibition in 2023, I received criticism for charging artists a fee to be in the show… by someone who wasn’t even part of the event.
This made me reevaluate my entire exhibition process. Is it better to take on all the funds? Put the show before my own needs?
Now, maybe this story may come across as me defending myself against a criticism, but hear me out, there’s much more to this.
I want my events to be accessible for everyone, especially low income creatives (which I, myself am). Real art thrives in these environments, but why must the creatives suffer in order to provide for the masses?
Over my past four nearly five years of exhibiting my work in group shows/events I have almost always had to pay a participation fee… some up to $150. Honestly there have been times that an artist participation fee felt like it was going to send me into bankruptcy lol, BUT I actively chose to sign up for these events… meaning I put myself into those situations and what right do I have to attack an event manager when I knew what I was getting myself into.
Running events is goddamn experience. Venue hire, advertising, flyer printing… the list is endless and it’s not like freelance artists get an hourly wage for all the work they do. You know what they say… if you do a job you love you’ll never work a day in your life, but as an artist you’ll seriously never not work a day or moment in your life.
I had an experience where someone showed up early for one of my exhibitions, huffing and puffing outside and telling me that can’t afford a ticket… being put on the spot and a people pleaser I told them they could come into the event. Of course I did, but who is this fair on? I’m shamed and guilted into letting someone in but then I make everyone else pay? If you cannot afford to go to an event you do not go. Maybe that’s a rough take but hear me out… if I couldn’t afford to go to the cinema would I show up and stand outside hoping they’d let me in? Would I stand outside a gig without a ticket and expect them to let me in just because I want to go?
This being said, transparency is key. Where are the funds going? Are you sharing them with all of the artists? Are there any profits?… because in honestly with where I’m at currently, there isn’t much when you break it all down.
But where’s all this going? You don’t have to suffer to be a ‘real artist’… Stop romanticising suffering!
No we can’t just “have our cake and eat it too” BUT you’re allowed to celebrate your work, you’re allowed to profit, you’re allowed to monetise you work and you’re also allowed to create purely for the joy of it!
I myself… am a low income creative, because well, honestly to host the events I do, I couldn’t work a normal full time job. When I say this I don’t mean it’s impossible, I just mean it’d cause me a great deal of suffering. Instead, recently finished a 4 year degree, I work two jobs plus taking part in group shows, markets, host exhibitions and somehow actually create the art you see. (That being said… hey, someone please give me a big girl job as a journalist I promise I don’t always ramble this much 😃😜🤞)
I think the best way around issues like these is very simple… open communication pathways, being transparent with where funds are going, making sure artists are aware that they’re signed up for an event where they will have to pay a stall/vendor fee. Not being greedy and overcharging for tickets, or taking funds that were promised elsewhere is something to look out for but generally our arts scene here in Meanjin is pretty upfront and honest in my experience.
I watched this video on tiktok a few weeks ago that’s provided some interesting points… food for thought?
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There is no gain in suffering.