The Changing Face of Artists Selling Art in Columbus « Columbus Underground Messageboard

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

The Changing Face of Artists Selling Art in Columbus

[7 posts] [4 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 2 years ago by turnedNOTburned
Latest reply from joev

Tags:

art
artists

turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM

Ok,

Here are some of the forces at play.

- Recent budget cuts in the State Budget and trickle down to GCAC cuts.
- Consumers tightening their belt to more basic needs, food, shelter, etc
- Artists (and retailers/galleries/etc) facing higher cost of goods/supplies and downward pressure on prices to generate sales

Oddly, I'm seeing positive growth and strength:

- More art studios opening up and artists combining efforts for shared mutual goals/benefit (Junctionview, Milo, Millworks, Franklinton Arts, Floorspace, OSU Art Space)
- More grassroots organizations: Couchfire, Wildgoose, German Village Art league, Craft Cotillion (sp?), Fuse Factory, etc
- More outreach and events from these organizations: Agora, Independents day, Too Many Cooks, Craft events at the State Fair, Artist workshops, Artists talks and workshops, Pecha Kucha Columbus

(These lists are FAR from conclusive, just giving some quick examples)

Why? Why is all of the pain and pressure leading to such innovation and strength. Why now? Why not 3 years ago when the economy was red hot? Sure, they all started then, and these people/orgs have learned and grown. Has it always been there and I've just grown into it? Have the creative organizations funded by GCAC failed us by not adapting and growing (necessity being the mother of innovation). Are artists taking more ownership, responsibility and pride in their own work and selling as a means of survival?

I'm not trying to suggest ANY answer with the above questions. I'm only seeking to start conversation so I can understand and support the "creative and design" community in ways that are most meaningful.

(Disclosure: I am a resident artist @Junctionview and do not have ties into any known GCAC or OAC resources other than using the OAC festival guide)

Posted 2 years ago #
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM

Just in from twitter... Ohio Art Council Budget cut by 47%

Posted 2 years ago #
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
Login to Send PM

turnedNOTburned wrote >>

Why? Why is all of the pain and pressure leading to such innovation and strength. Why now? Why not 3 years ago when the economy was red hot? Sure, they all started then, and these people/orgs have learned and grown. Has it always been there and I've just grown into it? Have the creative organizations funded by GCAC failed us by not adapting and growing (necessity being the mother of innovation). Are artists taking more ownership, responsibility and pride in their own work and selling as a means of survival?

I think part of it can be explained by the resources that OAC/GCAC have put into the community and that has in turn created an atmosphere in which the arts can flourish, whether funded by "institutional" dollars or not. Funding from the OAC/GCAC is contingent upon a huge number of factors and while the "start ups" you mention may not have been funded by them, many, if not most of those that do get funding now were once just a small group of passionate people who saw something that they thought needed to be.

Posted 2 years ago #
turnedNOTburned
Grandview/Columbus, Ohio
Login to Send PM

Good point.

So, should we concerned about how "arts" and creativity/innovation are valued by legislators (and more importantly, the broader public). Is there a lack of understanding when it comes to the value of arts organizations, the people and skills they attract, and its subsequent impact on the local economy?

Given the massive strength of the art and design community here, how does it tie into Columbus being ranked # 15 in smart cities http://ow.ly/hoUG and what does that mean for attracting business and keeping talent. There's got to be information out there supporting this.

Posted 2 years ago #
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
Login to Send PM

turnedNOTburned wrote >>
Good point.
So, should we concerned about how "arts" and creativity/innovation are valued by legislators (and more importantly, the broader public). Is there a lack of understanding when it comes to the value of arts organizations, the people and skills they attract, and its subsequent impact on the local economy?
Given the massive strength of the art and design community here, how does it tie into Columbus being ranked # 15 in smart cities http://ow.ly/hoUG and what does that mean for attracting business and keeping talent. There's got to be information out there supporting this.

Ohio is somewhat unique in how well-funded the arts are, so concerned, yes, but maybe more about how the current (and probably long-term) economic situation is going to play out. OAC either commissioned or participated in a study 3 (?) years ago that addressed that question, tho, of how thriving arts=thriving businesses. I'll see if I can find a link.

I'm from WV so for the past 15 years, I feel as though I've been living is some sort of alternate universe in terms of cultural and civic support for the arts. One thing that may have an impact is that just as industry has been able to de-concentrate, it's possible that the arts may see the same sort of thing thanks to technology (one can live in the middle of nowhere and still collaborate) the lack of a decent coffee or blackberry scallops may drive some people away from the BFE, but lack of artistic nourishment won't.

Posted 2 years ago #
drew

Login to Send PM

Another possible contributor - during a downturn, there's simply less non-art-related work to be had, so more energy (that might otherwise go towards the 'paying' job) is poured into artwork and organizations that support it.

Posted 2 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
Login to Send PM

Maybe another factor: I'm not close enough to the art world to know if this is true, but from my experience, a large segment of buyers of local art tend to be younger than baby boomer-age and work in creative and educational industries. In Columbus, creative industries have been hit less hard by the recession. A report came out a few weeks ago that said marketing had the highest rate of hiring of any industry in Central Ohio. And without a huge IRA nest egg, younger workers could more easily justify expenses on non-vital purchases.

Posted 2 years ago #

Subscribe to this discussion

You must log in to post.

Popular Messageboard Topics

Latest Front Page News Articles

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

The Changing Face of Artists Selling Art in Columbus

About Columbus Underground

About The Metropreneur

Popular Messageboard Topics

Latest Front Page News Articles

Subscribe To ColumbusUnderground

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

The Changing Face of Artists Selling Art in Columbus

About Columbus Underground

About The Metropreneur