funding

i have pretty strong feelings about this subject. i do think art is very important for society and that more people of diverse economic backgrounds should have access to art. that being said, i do not think it is the governments responsibility to fund individual artists. community arts programs, museums and other venues that are open to and benefit the general public should receive a certain amount of support, the same way health care and other social programs should, but as for individual artists, I don't think we should strive to rely on the government for money. There are many other professions that benefit the public- doctors, health care workers, day care workers, teachers- the list goes on- and none of these people are given individual support from the government for their efforts, so why should we as artists expect it? for me the choice of becoming an artist was not predicated on an assumption that i was owed a debt from society or the government for my noble efforts. there is so much private funding out there not only for artists, but for non-profit spaces- you just have to find it. like most careers, that of an artist takes a lot of administrative work. that anyone would expect to work in their studio 24/7 and just get handed money without lifting a finger to facilitate is just outrageous. yes, we will all probably have to work jobs that may or may not be related to art to get by at first, if not for the rest of our lives. and we will most likely bust our asses without a great deal of recognition. i believe that struggle is what makes life worth living and it is also what keeps you connected to humanity. living in an ivory tower where you make art that has no relevance to the general public is useless anyway. i'd much rather start a community arts center and impact the lives of young people than to exist in a bubble and receive accolades from an academic or other institutional structure that benifits only those with access to it.