January 20, 2006

More on Strengthening the Dance Economy

Christina of DC Arts Jobs writes the following in response to my post , "Solving the Challenges Facing Artists":

It may be unrealistic or even dangerous to count heavily on government sources of funding these days, a few recent examples of which you can ponder over at adaptistration today, but there is still something to be said for fighting the good fight as thinking people and responsible citizens. Art is vitally important to the human experience. If we believe that, then we have a responsibility to say so and to say it loudly in the public arena. If even those in the arts community start to consider this idea delusional, how on earth will it look to everyone else? The discussion should not be just about government appropriations, but about the larger public value system. We must proclaim (and continue to prove through good work) the value of art in our society in order for any source of funding to be viable--public, private or market-based.

I think that Christina says it very well. My main point is that artists and arts organizations ought to broaden their horizons when it comes to thinking about how art projects can be funded. In an economic environment where it is increasingly difficult to raise funding from traditional sources - government, grant making organizations and donors - it is imperative, I think, to consider new economic models to ensure the financial vitality of the arts.

Yet, it appears to me that artists and arts organizations are often not open to exploring and pursuing new business models in a climate where they do not really have many options. What I'd like to see - particularly in the dance community - is a gathering where artists, arts organizations, presenters, promoters and others got together to start thinking seriously about how the online economy can be harnessed both to strengthen stage performances and develop new digital dance forms. As of today, the Internet, which obviously reaches a huge audience, is simply not used in any meaningful way by the dance community. It is completely untapped. It is a great way to reach audiences, sell tickets and dance in digital formats (DVDs, digital content, etc.) and raise money in the form of donations and advertising. So if the goal is to help artists and the arts be more financially successful, then it makes sense to explore additional funding approaches that will benefit everybody involved in the arts.

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