I have been in a blog reading mood as of late, and during some recent surfing on the interwebs, I stumbled upon this incredible list. It's going to be my new manifesto. This heartening list is going to get printed out and hung where I can see it everyday. I think these are seemingly simple reminders that we all need to hear from time to time and I'm so grateful that someone out there thought to put pen to paper and share this with the world. For me, I feel as revived by this encouragement as I do from this slow-to-come but oh-so-sweet Boston spring. Hope this resonates with you as much as it does for me.
If you want to continue your own blog reading streak, make sure to check out my recently published blog post "Creative Contingencies: Making Peace With My Day Job(s)" for Howlround HERE. What a pleasure it was to get to write something for their site, which is full of thought-provoking essays and articles on life as a theatremaker!
If you want to continue your own blog reading streak, make sure to check out my recently published blog post "Creative Contingencies: Making Peace With My Day Job(s)" for Howlround HERE. What a pleasure it was to get to write something for their site, which is full of thought-provoking essays and articles on life as a theatremaker!
Artists U Core Principles
(Borrowed from www.artistsu.org, an amazing online and real life platform for artists, with everything from free E-books to advice on grants to a regular blog. And their materials are FREE! Their motto is "Make art. Don't starve." I can't love this enough.)
Success will either happen to me or it won’t. I am building an artistic life, not an artistic career, step by step, thinking long-term and staying responsive to changing circumstances.
No one cares about my work. Offering a strong artistic voice as widely as possible, I give citizens a chance to get close to my work.
I am competing with other artists for scarce and finite resources. The success of other artists is good for me. And mutual artistic support is worth more than money.
I need I need I need I need I need. My skills are needed in the world.
The future is scary and I don’t have time to think about it. With limited, regular planning, I work toward the art, the values, and the life that I believe in.
What I do is frivolous and I am lucky if I get paid for it. We are highly trained professionals, and the work we do, collectively, is essential in our culture. I expect to be compensated fully and fairly.
I never have enough time or money to make my work perfect. With the time and resources we have for each project, we will do the best we can.
I have to do everything I possibly can for every project, even if it kills me. No opportunity or work of art is worth the well-being of the people involved. I can say no.
I have to work all the time, with no time off. I schedule down time in my day, my week, and my year, essential to my well-being and artistic growth.
No one cares about art. The world is hungry for noncommercial experiences, for moments of focus, connection, and insight instead of the profit-driven distraction provided by the entertainment industry.
My career hasn’t followed the trajectory of Blue Man Group-Julian Schnabel-Bjork-Twyla Tharp-Kanye-my best friend. I define success for myself, and trust that impact does not correlate with fame.