Monday, April 09, 2007

A fine line...

Chatting with a friend the other day, they were talking about several projects they are currently involved in. All 'incubation' type projects, and all without a fee for the artist.

With funding (in real terms) decreasing for our dance companies (and the recent loss of Danceworks) the need for other 'structures' or organisations to provide opportunities for dance artists to develop their craft has never been more important. But at what point do we insist that an artist be paid?

I am not criticising the new initiatives that we are seeing (thus the title...a fine line). People in the arts work hard. These opportunities are being squeezed out of a stone, by the passionate and the committed. But it is a fair question...and I don't expect the answer to be black and white.

When is it reasonable for a funded organisation to create unpaid opportunities for artists. Do these connections lead on to further work? Or are we just happy with being given space and time to make?

What are the boundaries...an artist should receive a fee when....

One of the best things organisations can do when they provide these opportunities is clearly articulate all of the benefits that the participants receive. This helps balance out the question of money.

However...

Bottom line is, we all want to get paid...

Cheers

Luke

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

due to the economic environment that has been created by the government of the day, a lot of artists, like other workers are accepting the conditions dished out to them.
we are in an climate of negotiation we can be good, however many dancers have lost or never had a voice.
more and more dancers, artists and non-artists are finding ways to self-fund their own life-style and pursuits.
we always have! before benefits you had to work to pursue your passion. footballers used to have to work other jobs and play footy on the weekend. it can be argued that if you don't have to work then you can spend your time perfecting your art.
but then again you can argue about what are your priorities in life and accepting them challenges.

dance forever @ dance captain.
df@dc

5:29 PM, April 09, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What happened to Dance Captain? Has he disappeared or left the artform or lost his passion.
Dance world to Dance Captain, do you read me?

4:27 PM, May 02, 2008  
Blogger Luke said...

Dance captain to anonymous, I read you loud and clear.
disappeared - no
left - no
passionate - yes

kick up the arse received,
more to follow

thanks

Luke

8:13 AM, May 07, 2008  

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