The Cost of Art: Some Thoughts
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed an uptick in Tweets and articles relating the plight of the artist in the modern age. I’m using the term “artist” broadly to refer to writers, musicians, actors, painters, illustrators, and so on. It seems to me that art, one of the greatest gifts to humanity, is severely undervalued. And this is evident in the fact that people seem reluctant to make that deepest commitment to the art they enjoy: parting with money to make sure it continues to exist.
My theory is that, especially in the West, art has become so ubiquitous we expect it to be there regardless of any personal investment. Most Western countries have television that will give us a 24/7 supply of dramas, comedies, movies, documentaries, etc. for free. Sure, cable and satellite TV costs a little, but not nearly as much as it costs to make these shows. And for the price of an internet connection, we have access to a whole lot more via YouTube and other online resources. Radio is still going strong, and there we can listen to our favorite music without parting with a penny. Services like Spotify beam music to our digital devices asking for nothing but patience as we endure the commercials that fund it. As for reading material, libraries freely lend out books, and there are lots of internet sites where we can read fiction and non-fiction of varying quality.
As a result of all this, I theorize, we see art as a right. It’s something that ought to be there. And when artists have the temerity to suggest we might want to, perhaps, buy a book, or pay for a download, or in some way monetarily support the art we enjoy, we become indignant. Maybe the assumption is that anyone who writes books or makes music is also making money hand-over-fist. That they’re all J. K. Rowlings and Paul McCartneys. That they give away art because they don’t need the money.
Of course, the sad fact is most artists barely make a living. Many have jobs to support their art, or have spouses who work to pay the bills so they can create. Unfortunately, the artistic sensibility is such that we like people to hear our music and read our stories, which leads to a tendency to put free stuff out there for you to enjoy. This warms the artist’s heart, but doesn’t fill their stomach.
No, this isn’t an appeal for you to sign up to my Patreon (though if you feel so inclined…). I am, however, suggesting that we all stop for a moment and consider the art we consume. Even those who say art is a waste of time–stop and think about the last movie you watched. The last piece of music you listened to. What would our lives and our culture be like without music, stories, movies, theater, paintings, and so on? Creative expression is a vital part of what it means to be human, both the creating and the appreciation of creativity. In fact, it is a divine gift from the Creator Himself.
Next time you consume art, spare a thought for the artist who created it. And if you have the means and opportunity, find a way to show your support in a meaningful way: financially. Buy that song, that book, that picture. And spread the word.
Thanks! 🙂
Interesting perspective, Colin. I’ve wondered if it is because people have entertainment at their fingertips they don’t look for art in the way people used to. So not so much they aren’t prepared to pay, they just don’t need to because alternatives are at their fingertips.
Good point, AJ. It’s maybe not always that people are not willing to pay, but when it’s freely available, why pay? Unfortunately, the end result of that could be less art being freely available as creators find it hard to pay bills and create. And don’t think I don’t understand the temptation. I’m among the first in line for freebies, so this is a challenge to me as much as to everyone else.