State of the Arts 2010

With art there is hope for 2010.
Hope for what?
Hope that on an individual basis despite of or regardless of ones own socioeconomic status that ones own personal enrichment and recreational opportunities can be pursued developed and enjoyed.

Hope for others to achieve individual replenishment and fulfillment, that the health, well being and functionality of individuals will foster healthy community and benefit the society in whole.

Hope that participation in the arts will both enrich individuals and foster awareness for the value of the arts in our developing culture.

With the current economic conditions prevailing in 2010 funding for the arts is chaotic at best. Endowments from government and private organizations and funds generated from individuals are significantly down.

The arts were not totally ignored in the recent government economic stimulus package. Funds were allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts and have provided some assistance to arts organizations. Future endowments remain in question as local, state and federal tax bases are experiencing deeper and deeper budget cuts. Many long time arts organizations have had to cease existence.

Art in the last depression
In 1933 and 1934, during the period of "The Great Depression," the Federal government's Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) was organized by the Civil Works Administration. The general purpose of the program was "to give work to artists by arranging to have competent representatives of the profession embellish public buildings." This program lasted less than one year, yet it provided employment for approximately 3,700 artists who created nearly 15,000 works of art.
In 1935, a similar project, the Federal Art Project (FAP) was established by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Federal Art Project continued until 1943, when the beginning of World War II had changed economic priority to the war effort.
Many of the works profiled the conditions of “the day” profiling the work and initiatives that were taking place to sustain and stimulate the economy in the depression. There are still many of those works of art being enjoyed today. A Google image search will bring up several works to look at.
So where and what are the opportunities for furthering the arts in our culture going forward?
From my own personal perspective the greatest immediate opportunity for furthering the arts is to increase participation in the arts at a personal level. My enjoyment of the arts is mostly centered on the visual arts however I think ones interest can be increased in about any area of the arts that are ones personal interest.
How and why to increase you individual participation.
My purpose behind the establishment of this blog and my own personal example of how I use the arts for personal enrichment and recreation (http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/) is to assist individuals in identifying way to develop and pursue ones own enriching recreational opportunities.
Connect,
Connect with organizations that are in your area of interest. There are many organizations that have ongoing activities, often times free. Join and be a part of the organizations and look for opportunities to volunteer. In years past I have had the opportunity to volunteer and assist with art events at a local art center. I have enjoyed the experiences immensely. Meeting other artists and patrons attending the events has resulted in interesting conversations and ongoing relationships with other individuals of like interest.
Almost any area of interest in the arts has clubs that are prefect for sharing artistic information. Meeting regularly and socialization with others of like interests can build lasting friendships and have in many cases realized other benefits like networking when looking for a job etc.

The irony of the current economic situation is that it is not an entirely new situation. We have seen depressions and recessions in the past. The magnitude and scope of this current situation has its own intricacies both problematic and an opportunistic.
As art galleries close as performing arts organizations cut back performances or cease operation because of financial limitations The importance of the arts for many will shift to the value of the arts to meaning more so than monetary values.
The opportunity going forward through times of financial turmoil may see our view and use of the arts rise from an intrinsic enjoyment and appreciation of the arts to an elevated state, that of implementing and using personal participation in the arts as a dynamic tool we use for our own sustained physical, mental and emotional health.

The Need For Personal Replenishment Becomes Greater

Two to three times a week I meet with three other business associates to informally discuss, brainstorm and strategize our future economic survival. Our group consists of a retail shop owner two independent artists and me an unemployed web developer.
Reflecting on the last few weeks of dialog I have come to visualize the bunch of us as some old, but not so old guys hanging out at the barber shop dissecting every idea and possibility for making a buck. The last several days though our quartet seems to be singing a tired song, tired of what seems to be a deepening lack luster economy. Tired of trying to hold ones own, struggling economically to hang on.
Other of my business associates outside the group that represent the auto industry, custom furniture and cabinet fabrication are also experiencing the same effects.
While the purpose of this post is not to be consumed with the negative the reality is evident that the current economic status is becoming a long term situation.
The Salt Lake Tribune the past month ran headliners stating that another 1,000 government jobs would be cut and recently that another 800 Aerospace jobs were also on the chopping block.
While the government figures for unemployment nationally are stated to be around the 10% area the real unemployment rate takes into consideration many factors including those who have exhausted their insurance benefits and those underemployed. A couple of links regarding the statistics are:
Fox Business news,
Brian Sullivan
http://briansullivan.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2009/11/06/is-the-real-unemployment-rate-17-5/
and the The US Dept of Labor, BLS
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm

Contemplating the voices of individuals tired by struggling and coping with economic uncertainty it is evident the need is becoming increasingly greater for individual replenishment. Replenishment being the foundation of recreation.
Looking at the situation on the positive side, the cup half full side, both the need and opportunity for personal replenishment is possible with and through increased participation in the arts.
The arts are being hit hard, really hard by the economic crisis. WSWS.org Has identified some of the effects in a most interesting article,
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/cuts-f17.shtml
So opportunities for involvement in the arts will require individuals to they themselves take the initiative to create, participate and hopefully share with others,
In previous posts I have noted the positive social benefits of the arts. There are two free events that I recommend for stimulating interest in the visual arts and sculpting. Each month in Salt Lake City and also Park City there are Gallery stroll evening events. More than a stimulating look at a plethora of styles and subjects created by a diverse array of artists, the events are a opportunity to visit with some of the artists, gallery owners and staff and learn about their creative process.

Salt Lake Gallery Stroll
http://www.gallerystroll.org/

Park City Gallery Stroll
Hosted by the Kimball Art Center
http://www.kimballartcenter.org/

For my own personal replenishment this month I have been doing on location sketching throughout the city. I also have been doing some sketching in the Wendover Nevada area.
For more on how I integrate art as a part of outdoor recreation please visit my Blog An Easel A Brush & The Bus
http://www.easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/

Please also check out my page of classes workshops and free events
http://www.wasatchphoto.com/was-art/subpages/Workshops%20&%20Classes.htm