Atlanta Artists: How Has the Recession Affected You?
May 22, 2009 | 1:58 pmOn the eve of the Decatur Arts Festival, and in the time-honored tradition of copping ideas from the New York Times, I thought it would be interesting to pose a question directly to our city’s artists.
The recent response to a question posed by the New York Times about how artists were responding to the recession peaked my locavore-ish interest. While many artists relayed the expected stories of less work and funding, many also mentioned in the same virtual-breath that the slowdown was also in some ways “liberating.” Singer/songwriters have found more time to write and play their own work – instead of an endless cycle of covers, while visual artists talked about time to focus on refining their skill set.
Obviously the economic slowdown is going to hit some people harder than they can take it. What may seem liberating to one artist who brings in less work but can still pay the bills, can feel like the end of the world for one with no work or income. However, the Times article talked a lot about how these “dispatches from the arts world were infused with fortitude and resolve, as well as a sense of release” and I was curious to see if Decatur/Atlanta/Georgia artists have had a similar reaction.
Art and economics have always been intricately connected, so there’s no doubt that this newly termed “Great” Recession will have a very real impact on the world’s art forms. The physical results are yet unknown, but thanks to a little more time on our hands, it may just be an age of rediscovery.
I look forward to your responses.
I know one artist who is benefitting from the downturn.
Musician Leah Calvert (whose beautiful voice I heard for the first time on our city’s square) thanks the real estate depression for making a home purchase affordable.
http://tr.im/m8P0 (scroll down a bit).
I didn’t write the story, but did pass the story tip on to CL. If it makes you feel any better, they didn’t “h/t” me.
Jerks.
I’m a writer/artist who has never made any money off of my work. My day job is with the state. Perhaps this thread is not really intended for me.
But I read the New York Times piece, and watched their slideshow about the young artist Alexander Connor. To me, the economy has always been an issue in my artistic life. The economy never seems to be good enough for me, personally, to achieve the professional status I would like for my work.
In reading the New York Times piece I found it inspiring how many artists are accustomed to adversity and also view it somewhat the same as any other challenge. They keep working, they have faith in their ingenuity, they find the treasures in whatever is offered.
The current condition of our world and this economy is frightfully interesting. I will, I hope, experience it in a way that will benefit my work.
One of the artists at the Decatur Arts Festival sold 30 paintings yesterday- and his paintings start at $300 and go up to thousands. Someone around has money for art- Yea!!
Thanks Bryan…this thread was absolutely intended for you.
“Frightfully interesting” is a perfect way of putting it.
This is great for that artist, but that was an anomoly. Most of the artists I talked to sold nothing or very little.