A Pink Slip! Because of the crappy economy and my inability to find work, I decided to do what any smart business person would do--I laid myself off. This is the letter I just got from my formerly financially stable self. You can click on the image to get a closer look.
But seriously, the N.E.A.'s recent report, mentioned above in my pink slip letter, does paint an extraordinarily grim picture of what life is like for American artists during this recession. If you are an unemployed artist, like me, and have some extra time on your hands, become an advocate. Write a letter to your legislators encouraging them to support art programs. Tell them that the arts are an industry, like any other, and that when they allocate money to the the arts, they are creating jobs. Here is a link to Americans for the Arts. They have a great page that will give you all the information that you need to find your legislators and get started.
Also, if you are a teaching artist, performer, writer, or musician, then sign up for this University of Chicago research project. The researchers are studying how artists who are not employed full-time get by. The results will be used to advocate for better benefits and wages for this often overlooked and underpaid group of creative educators.
This was posted by Shawnee Barton, an artist who keeps a blog on other people’s blogs. If you have a little nook of cyberspace and are open to welcoming a guest poster, please email her at shawneebarton@gmail.com. She will be grateful. To see where she is headed next, check out shawneebarton.com.
From the Management: I could get used to this! Thank you Shawnee! Mel.....
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