Money Lectures

This week’s lectures presented some interesting facts on how money plays a major role in the creation of theatre, art and music. One of the common themes in all three lectures that stuck out to me was love. Each lecture expressed how important money is to its respective art but all three explained that actors, artists and musicians all do it for love first and foremost. Although money is what makes the creative industry run and it is important to the creatives, it is not why they do it. It was clear in the art and music lecture that many artists and musicians don’t even make money until after they’re dead. Why else would they do it? They love it.

Another interesting point taken away from the lectures is the commercialization of art. Thomas Kincade has made a fortune painting colorful pictures and selling them in malls, often with Bible verses on added. While the paintings and other merchandise are a success and clearly somebody somewhere likes them, we call into question Kincade’s motives. The lecture brought into perspective exactly how far we can stretch his, and any other similar artist’s, motives until we believe they are no longer pure. For me, this idea is highlighted in the Thomas Kincade towns.

Finally, it is interesting to me the different roles that money plays in art verses music and theatre. In art, most of the money involved is dealt with after the painting is sold. In music and theatre, however, a good portion of the money involved goes into the production and producing of the medium. This creates a barrier for those wanting to enter those artistic fields - especially music.

The images of money and economics in popular culture are, to me, being portrayed as necessary. With all of the reality and fictional television featuring wealthy or appearing to be wealthy people, it is hard for society not to think that having money in the world is the only way to be happy.

There is a role for artists in a capitalistic society. People are always going to love buying or funding art, music and theatre no matter how much or little money they have. I think the challenge for artists in this society is going beyond just the painting, the play or the music Creatives must share it with the world, and then maybe they can survive on what they make.