Why are you working in the arts?
Last month, I went out for dinner with a friend who I haven’t seen since the pandemic began, and who I haven’t chatted to about my freelance journey, which I’ve now completed 15 months of. And survived. So far anyway.
We were discussing the ‘issues’ in the arts sector and I was telling her about the range of work I’ve completed; the sort of contracts and ad-hoc consultancy I’ve done, people I’ve worked with and my observation of where the power is at, since I went full-time self-employed. Straight up, she asked; “Why are you still working in the arts?!”.
Good question, I thought.
As we talked, I was thinking about the reasons why I’m still working in the arts. There’s not an easy answer, but for me it’s deep in my gut, my calling, if you’ll indulge that, everything I thought I’d always do. But the question made me stop in my tracks because on the cold face of it, to a non-arts person, it must have sounded mental what I’d witnessed, put up with, seen, called out, walked away from and agonised over - all in the last 15 months. I even did a poll on LinkedIn, to gauge interest and what other arts-folk thought/felt about this. Not surprisingly, everyone said that they’re in it because it’s a passion and a purpose.
I guess that means that I’m here for the long run, with aspirations (plans even!) to build my own organisation and deliver things in new ways. I’d like to call myself a change maker, but is that true? I know working in the arts is my purpose and I’ve always set out to make a difference to other (mostly young) people’s lives. I’m satisfied in my work and I feel fulfilled. I feel challenged and I feel recognised & valued. However, why is there so much crap out there? And why do we focus in on it?! Why is the sector so hard to work in?
I’ve thought about moving out of the arts, but I literally have no idea to what or where. Sure, I absolutely know I’ve got transferable skills, and encouraged by my friend who told me I could work in just about any industry I fancy, what else would I do? Where would I find an extreme amount of passion balanced with satisfaction in work? Does anyone know?!
More on this coming soon. I’m involved in a piece of research (+ my own research) looking at freelancer needs, gaps, opportunities across the East Midlands. ACE recognise the important role that freelancers play in our sector and funded me and two other indie producers to learn more. Watch this space, I am sure the findings whilst they won’t be revelatory, might ruffle a few feathers.