i guess traditionally there are three factors here :
one - you are an artist and have to do art and therefore will do art whether you are paid or not, it is a necessity to do art.
two: artists need to eat, and have hot water, or at least water, and to be safe, and to have some place to do their art. ... See More
three: either an artist will have another source of income or they must get paid for their art.
i was listening to npr and the cleveland orchestra is on strike so they can keep the 5% inflation raise in pay. their salaries being average $115.000, one of the best in the world...one woman, a patron of sorts said, "we just have to dig deeper"...and it's the society as "we" who will dig deeper here, not the artists, but most people are worried about having transportation and a job and keeping a place to live. how much deeper should they have to dig? it is difficult, and i know she's speaking to other donors like herself, but this is the quandry. people are in rough times.
to do art, that in and of itself is the most profound reward, goal, process and way of being. the eternal question of how to secure resources is a frustrating, but still exciting one to have as problems go...it would be wonderful to pay all artists, but who is going to do that? the government could do more probably, but that's what comes from the people...art and music get cut. that's just how it is. and it's too bad, but i don't know what to do about it necessarily...i think more community based not-for-profit, or non-profit art vans that could be mobile, and go to communities, or schools as special programs......?
i don't know. i don't expect to make money doing anything i do...i've put far more money into hosting people than i've ever received, but many people feel that money is the most important thing to work for, and fame or becoming immortal is a whole other beast which makes each aspect difficult.
i am sure most artists have strong opinions regarding these issues...
***
love & ruckus
***