Andrew Taylor on the Business of Arts & Culture
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More on the professional-grade amateur
Posted: August 5, 2005
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I wrote a few weeks back about the rise of amateur culture, and the possible coming boom in creative content produced by non-professionals. Bob Baker's extended discussion of the trend led me to this report by Demos on The Pro-Am Revolution, subtitled ''how enthusiasts are changing our economy and society.''
The report offers a fascinating spin on the traditional amateur/professional dichotomy we've taken for granted (professionals create exceptional work, amateurs are lovable hacks). It's a bias that lives in many industries, and certainly in the arts. The Demos report sketches out a third alternative in the amateur/professional spectrum, the ''Pro-Am,'' described as ''innovative, committed and networked amateurs working to professional standards.''
From software design to international policy to astronomy to art, Pro-Ams are creating exceptional work outside of the professional world. And, as my early weblog suggested, they are likely to be a growing force in cultural production, distribution, and consumption for the coming decade.
Give the paper a skim to see how your professional-grade organization might respond to or engage this emerging and passionate group.