The story of the Starving Artist goes back hundreds of years. I imagine Florentine painters in the Renaissance, absorbed in their work as they subsist in a meager studio that doubles as a living space. I imagine 17th century German composers furiously scrawling down sheet music, not sure how they’ll pay for their next meal. I imagine British romantic poets living in shacks by the water, nearly freezing to death at times while they spend their days sipping tea and pondering words.
Part of me loves these stories. They are beautiful and romantic, and the idea of “art for art’s sake” is a noble one. There seems to be a notion that the more impoverished or unpopular an artist is, the better their work will be. That’s why we all try to listen to Indie music, right? But this story doesn’t translate well to our current society.
In the 21st century, those who are artistically inclined are encouraged to “get a real job,” and would be considered lazy by most if they chose to pursue their passion. But why do we still have this idea that artists will never make any money? Why do we believe they must settle for monotonous, uninspiring work in order to survive?
It's time for a rewrite of the Starving Artist story. People everywhere are pursuing creative careers, and yes, they are making money. These jobs aren’t traditional, but they are all around, with more being created every day. They may look like side gigs or part-time jobs or even remote positions—little things that Creatives can stack on top of each other. They may look like short-term or long-term projects rather than 9 to 5 jobs. They may have paychecks that vary in size with irregular paydays. But they’re getting paid nonetheless. It’s time to accept that you can pursue your trade and put food on the table. It’s time we start pushing for the Thriving Artist.
The "Thriving Artist" is everywhere you look, so pervasive that you could not go a single day without encountering their work. The "Thriving Artist" looks like bloggers and writers, graphic designers and painters, musicians and sound technicians, photographers and filmmakers. These careers are booming, and the "Thriving Artist" is able to do what they love and survive. They are able to find fulfillment and pay their bills. We need them to carry on, which is why the nay-sayers need to change their tune. We need to support them in their work.
Why? Because humans need art. It’s what separates us from other living things. It’s what gives our lives depth and meaning. It’s what future generations use to remember us. Art reflects humanity, and humanity, art. Without it there is no deeper thinking, no exploration of the human soul. Many have taken initiative and started building creative careers that never before existed, and you can join them as a creative professional. Here’s to believing in the power of the Thriving Artist.
Check out the links below for a more extensive look at creative careers:
https://www.theartcareerproject.com/careers/
https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/creative-careers.htm
