Lead or Follow? #
A debate about leadership
Increasingly, audiences have more visibility for their opinions about the culture they consume. Cultural institutions know more and more about their audiences and their wants. Some suggest this new transparency argues for a different relationship between artists and audience. So the question: In this age of self expression and information overload, do our artists and arts organizations need to lead more or learn to follow their communities more? #
Ok, so back to the topic at hand….
I currently reside in a small city in North Carolina that I believe is dealing with this very question. Our city has three performing arts organizations: The Gilbert Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre and The Horrible Folks. Its an old city conveniently located on I-95 and less than two hours from the Atlantic coast. But yet I wouldn’t call it a “major” city or one that has completely embraced the arts just yet. That observation gave birth to the very question you folks are asking: Who should lead?
The answer is simply that there is no ONE answer. The Gilbert Theatre, for example, is vetting some candidates to find a new Artistic Director. Some of them I know well and have had discussions about what they would want to do with the Gilbert in their first few seasons. Overwhelmingly, the response is similar to Ariel’s in that they tend to be art-centric and possess limited regard to MARKETABILITY. And who can blame an artist for wanting to be an artist? Just as who can blame an ant for being an ant, or a rose for being a rose.
But what strikes me is not the similarities in attitude. What strikes me is the hard-line position the artist can take in defending their craft and their ideas against the institution that will facilitate the medium through which they can express themselves.
Ariel, I respect your craft so much. And I commend your attitude. Most of us could only wish to have such freedom. But your speaking out of context. You’re an artist who would perform on the street if he had to – that’s your spirit and that’s great. LEAD the way, because hell, you can! But the context in this conversation has more to do with an actual organization and its position in the community.
To make art, you must exist. To exist, you must have WORKING CAPITAL.
The definition of “art” includes something about affecting the senses. It is only ‘art’ if people see it so you have to be able to sell your product people aside from just YOURSELF! This is not a selfless world. People don’t go to see theatre because they want to “support” the arts. If they want to support, they will contribute. But even then, your stuff better be good. People go to be stimulated and entertained… and yes, every now and then, to enrich their lives with new perspectives.
So if you don’t agree with me, at least enrich your life by understanding My perspective.