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Support Local

14/8/2011

 
How often are we asked to support local businesses? We all look for the best value for the cheapest price. For some of us, the trade off is no contest. We have a limited amount of money and that is the deciding factor. It is then up to the local business to match the non-local business either in terms of money, quality, standards, materials etc.

When it comes to Art local support is absolutely essential. As a writer, I dream of winning a publishing contract with a big house that will pay me millions to write. Reality tells me to get of my backside and do the hard yakka, take the plunge, risk rejection after rejection etc. There are no publishing houses in my area who will take the risk of paying me a year's wage per book, do all the marketing and wipe the loss off if it doesn't sell.  So The next best thing is to get the book printed myself and do the hard yakka.

What has brought this fit of the weepies on?

Simple. The local Agricultural show was on last weekend. Now local shows do a brilliant job of competing with larger shows and theme parks. My local show is ideally located for me (Down at the end of the road in fact.) It also has an Art section for the visual artist. Some years the standard is low, other years it is high. This year the standard is high and pretty much consistent across the board. However, there is not one piece of work that leaps off the wall and says 'Buy Me or else'. And it shows in the sales. The difficulty for the organisers now lies in how to get the artists with the WOW pieces to send them along next year. And why should artists send a painting worth $2000 along when the prize money is only $50? (of course Entry fee is onlyl a few dollars). However, the point is this: if local artists do not support the local opportunities provided by local organisations how can either one survive?

Enough of the weepies!

Moreton Bay Region has produced artists (visual, literary, and performing) of national and international standing. And the one thing they have in common is the fostering they receive at the local level. However, this fostering is always in danger of being snatched from them through lack of opportunity.

So please support your local arts organisation, whenever and wherever possible.

Getting Involved

24/7/2011

 

Getting Involved

24/7/2011

 
How often do you hear "get involved"?
I seem to hear it every week at least. And say it at least once a month.

And believe me, I used to think 'getting involved' would lead me to my dream job. I got involved with several peak art bodies as a volunteer and saw every job in those organisations turn over at least twice and sometimes 3 times. Unfortunately I was more valuable to them as a volunteer.  Some one to do the dull, boring, routine jobs that a monkey could do standing on its head. Never mind the two degrees and three diplomas I hold. Oh that's right! They are business related and not art! So the jobs I would have loved to do and stuck at for 20 years went to artists who moved on to further their 'arts practice' within 12 months.

So what does 'getting involved' mean? Does it mean getting on committees to do some hard yakka in organisation? Does it mean offering to do 2 hours selling raffle tickets, walking around and chatting to visitors? Does it mean just showing up, smiling prettily and drinking wine in 'supporting' the event/ artist? Does it mean sending a cheque off as sponsorship and getting your name mentioned in all the material? - You tell me.

Now why am I getting all this off my chest?

Well you see, the other day I went to a little chat put on by the local municipal powers (in support of the arts). I found it - interesting (my son found it boring) even as I came to the conclusion that all 3 speakers were more concerned about praising themselves than explaining what the term 'unexpected art encounters' meant, and how it occurred.

Now what I gathered from that little talk has given me a few ideas for future reference. But did I get involved with the talk or the events?

Well to be honest I would say 'no'.

One reason is that those 'unexpected art events' were held at places I never go to. Nor did I know they were on (of course that would mean they were 'expected arts events' wouldn't it?)
Was I asked to get involved and participate? No. I go to an awful lot of these municipally sponsored and hosted art events but I had never heard of the speakers and I can safely say that they have never heard of me. Nor did I get to talk to them - they were too busy chatting with those friends that that came to support them. So I couldn't even offer to 'get involved' in future events. Nor could I extend the offer to them to 'get involved' with the groups I am involved with.

As a late comer to the arts scene, I find that my skills and knowledge is of less value than the lack of skills and knowledge a new comer to the arts scene. What of you?

Until next week
Happy writing.

    Author

    I have been writing for most of my life. My son has said he can't remember a time when he didn't see me writing. And  that is so true.
    Now that I've finally taken the plunge, I am finding more avenues for my writing.

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As a writer, I am actively involved in the promotion and support of writers in the City of Moreton Bay. 
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