Let’s Get This Out of the Way
I hate talking about money. It’s vulgar, it’s crass, it’s… well, it’s necessary. But when it comes to art, money’s this weird, squiggly thing we all pretend doesn’t exist. I’ve been in this biz since 1998, and I’ve seen alot of artists struggle, starve, and sometimes, just sometimes, succed. But we never talk about it. Until now.
Last Tuesday, I was at this gallery opening in Austin (let’s call the artist Marcus, because I promised him I wouldn’t use his real name), and I heard this exchange that just… stuck with me.
Some trust fund kid in a $87 vintage band t-shirt (I know, I know, hypocrisy much?) turns to his date and says, “Isn’t it cute how they all think they can make a living off this?” And I wanted to throw my wine in his face. But I didn’t. I’m not that kind of person. (Mostly.)
But Here’s the Thing
He wasn’t wrong. Not completley. I mean, look at the numbers. About three months ago, I was at this panel discussion with some bigwigs from the art world, and they threw around some stats that made my stomach churn. Only 214 out of 5,000 artists surveyed made more than $50k last year. That’s… yeah. That’s not good.
But here’s what pisses me off: we act like this is some natural law, like gravity or taxes. It’s not. It’s a choice. Our choice. The art world’s choice. We prioritize prestige over paychecks, and then we wonder why artists can’t afford to eat.
I remember this one time, back in 2005, I was editing this piece by a colleague named Dave. Great artist, Dave. Really talented. But he was living in his sister’s basement. And he told me, “I don’t mind the struggle, it’s the silence that kills me.” And I get that. The silence, the ignoring, the pretending like it’s all fine and dandy. It’s not. It’s bullshit.
But What Can We Do?
Okay, so here’s where I’m gonna get preachy. Deal with it.
First off, if you’re an artist, stop apologizing for wanting to eat. It’s not greedy, it’s not sell-outish, it’s human. You wouldn’t expect a doctor to work for free, so why do we expect it from artists?
And if you’re a collector, or a gallery owner, or just someone who appreciates art, put your money where your mouth is. Buy art. Pay artists. Treat them like professionals, because that’s what they are.
And for the love of god, if you’re gonna spout some bullshit about “starving artists,” maybe think about how your words contribute to the problem. Yeah, I’m looking at you, $87 band t-shirt guy.
Oh, and if you’re looking to get into fitness while you’re at it, check out these fitness workout routines beginners. Because, you know, health is important too.
A Tangent: The MFA Myth
Look, I’m not saying don’t get an MFA. But let’s be real here. An MFA is not a golden ticket. It’s a debt sentence. I’ve seen too many artists bury themselves in student loans, only to end up waiting tables. And don’t even get me started on the cult of the “prestigious” program. Newsflash: just because a school is expensive doesn’t mean it’s good. (Looking at you, RISD.)
I had this friend, let’s call her Linda, who went to this super fancy art school. Paid $200k for it. And now she’s teaching at a community college, making $36k a year. She’s talented, she’s smart, she’s physicaly and mentally exhausted. And she’s not alone.
So before you drop everything and chase that MFA, maybe think about it. Really think about it. The art world doesn’t need more indebted artists. It needs more artists who can afford to make art.
But What About the Art?
Oh, here we go. The old “but what about the art?” excuse. As if paying artists somehow diminishes their work. Give me a break.
I’ve seen more “pure” art created by starving artists than I can count. And you know what? Most of it’s forgettable. Because art isn’t about suffering. It’s about expression, about communication, about connection. And you can’t connect with an audience if you’re too busy worrying about rent.
I’m not saying money buys happiness. But it buys food. And food is kinda important. (Which honestly nobody asked for but here we are.)
And look, I’m not saying the art world is evil. It’s not. It’s just… broken. And it’s gonna take all of us to fix it. Artists, collectors, galleries, critics. We all have a role to play.
So let’s start talking about money. Let’s start paying artists. Let’s start treating art like the vital, necessary thing it is. Because it is. And artists deserve to eat.
Anyway, that’s my rant. I’m gonna go drink some wine now. (The cheap kind. Because, you know, priorities.)
About the Author: Jane Doe has been a senior editor at various art magazines for way too long. She lives in Austin with her cat, her vinyl collection, and her slightly unhealthy obsession with vintage band t-shirts. She tweets at @janedoeart.
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