Artists and the Economy - Postcard protest to the White House. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149406448475721
Mat Gleason posted: "I want to curate a show of artists with 50 grand or more of student loan debt that they are behind in paying. Oh wait, there is not a gallery big enough for this exhibit...." That got a lot of us talking, and got me thinking... I ran my idea past Mat, broadened the scope; this project is the result. 1) Make a postcard The aim is to make a powerful, unified, statement; to that end: • Don't deviate from any of the guidelines please, consistency is key. • Use a standard postcard size: 4x6" or 5x7". • Keep it flat, it's a postcard. • Don't be hostile, we want them to listen. • Make it good, we're saying art is worth supporting, show it. 2) Write: * • "Artists and the Economy" • A statement or two related to your finances (suggestions below) • "Please donate to the Smithsonian American Art Museum." * A lot of people have asked to broaden this even further, comprehensively in fact. Support is lovely, so, yes, absolutely - BUT - in order to keep the message clear, please write: • "Support Artists and the Economy" • A statement clearly defining your relation to struggling artists: - what art means to you as a viewer - the fact that you are another (non-visual) type of artist, etc... - the fact that you are a RARE example of a thriving artist • Use your judgment- does your work belong in the Smithsonian? 3) Address it to: President Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 4) Take a photo of the front and post it to this page. 5) Drop it in a mailbox for POSTMARK: 2 SEPTEMBER 2011. (The Friday before Labor Day.) Simple. The impact it has, depends on you. Let's make a statement, artists. Best~ CJ Nye THOUGHT POINTS / SUPPORTING QUOTES • Your degree, your school, your student loan debt • Your day job(s) • Self-supporting or being supported? • "Artists are generally more educated than the workforce as a whole." NEA • "Artists generally earn less than workers with similar levels of education." NEA • "Artists are 3.5 times more likely than other workers to be self-employed." NEA • "About 60 percent of artists and related workers are self-employed." BLS • "Only the most successful fine artists are able to support themselves solely through the sale of their works." BLS • "Most fine artists have at least one other job to support their art careers." BLS • "[A]rtists advance professionally as their work circulates and as they establish a reputation for a particular style." BLS • "[T]he demand for artwork is dependent on consumers having disposable income...." BLS • "Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year" Americans for the Arts • "To remain competitive in the global economy, America needs to reinvigorate the kind of creativity and innovation that has made this country great." Barack Obama • "[A]rts education is the most important known factor in influencing arts participation trends." NEA • "If [the decline of childhood arts education] continue[s], the health of the arts ecosystem will be in jeopardy." NEA • "Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists: Barack Obama supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act [amending the Code regarding charitable contributions]...." Barack Obama • "American artists, performers and thinkers - representing our values and ideals - can inspire people both at home and all over the world." Barack Obama _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
