Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists

Artists in Massachusetts and elsewhere should read the report "Stand Up and Be Counted: A Survey of Massachusetts Artists on Their Work Lives, Socioeconomic Status, Access to Healthcare, and Medical and Non-Medical Debt," which was conducted by the Artists Foundation. Over 3,400 Massachusetts artists of all disciplines participated in the on-line questionnaire.

This is a very visual and easy to read report, and it's very well done. Read more.

Temporary Art Galleries

I would LOVE to do this in the Boston area! Read "Pop! An Empty Shop Fills With Art" by Julia Werdigier on August 31, 2009 in the NY Times:

"Independent curators and entrepreneurial artists are stepping into the breach in Britain, persuading landlords affected by the recession to turn vacant spaces over to them temporarily." Read the whole article.

Art and Theater

Yesterday was a day of lasts. I went (again) with family and friends to see the Shepard Fairey show at the ICA Boston on the last day, and we saw the last night of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's "The Comedy of Errors" on the Boston Common.

(We also went to the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, which is open again, and saw the show they put together from their collection. This show is open until September 20th, so it's not a "last" since there's over a month left.)

It was really good to see the Shepard Fairey show again. You can read my thoughts about it, from when I saw it in April.

We all really enjoyed "The Comedy of Errors." The acting was great, as was the music, and I loved the set, which should come as no suprise to anyone who knows me, since it was based on grids and lines. It was very inspirational. The pictures in this post are of only one side of the stage, in daylight, and after dark. Sorry for the blurry bottom picture, my camera isn't good in the dark.

Anyone who lives in the Boston area should keep their eye open next summer for the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's 2010 production. We have never been disappointed with their shows, and it's really fun to picnic and watch theater, outside with hundreds (or thousands?) of other people on a warm summer's night. It's very peaceful and friendly, and is an annual tradition for my household.

Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowships Changes

The Massachusetts Cultural Council announced a change in the application dates for the 2010 Artist Fellowships. Instead of a December deadline, as in the past, the dates are much earlier.

"The online application for the Drawing, Painting and Traditional Arts categories will be available September 1. Applications for these categories will be accepted from September 1 through October 12, 2009." Read more.

In an email, the MCC said "This new schedule will mean a faster turnaround time between application and award announcements, while preserving the program's focus on a fair and anonymously judged review. As always, the program aims to foster the creation of new work by Massachusetts artists, the individuals at the center of our state's vibrant creative life."

I'm looking forward to September 1st, when more information will be available.

Pay the Artists

Check this out:

"Pay the Artists," by Felix Salmon, in The Atlantic, Ideas: Fixing the World, July/August 2009 :

"If the Obama administration is serious about stimulating the economy and creating as many new jobs as possible, one choice is clear: it should announce a massive increase in federal arts funding. Artists are among the very poorest citizens. When they get cash, they spend it both quickly and carefully."

... and...

"Arts spending is fantastic at creating employment: for every $30,000 or so spent on the arts, one more person gets a job, compared with about $1 million if you’re building a road or hospital. " Read more.

Eastern MA Artists and Art Events

I've been writing about Open Studios, Art Events, and Artists in eastern Massachusetts as the Boston Artisans Examiner on examiner.com.

I am interested in 2D and 3D in any media art or craft, art/craft authors, and etc, who promote their work whether it's online, at art/craft shows, open studios, for sale somewhere, or what ever. I also like to write about Art Events, Open Studios, and anything else art related. It's very flexible.

If you're in eastern Massachusetts, and are interested in free art publicity, please write to me. I will send you the info I'd like to receive in order to write an article. My email address is jeanne@jeannewilliamson.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Mass MoCA

If you have ever visited, or plan on visiting, MassMoCA. (The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), in North Adams, MA, I suggest you read "Making it big: As it turns 10, has Mass MoCA finally put its expansive vision on solid financial ground?," by Geoff Edgers, in the Boston Globe on May 31, 2009. Very interesting and informative.

MassMoCA is a wonderful museum. I try get to visit it once or twice a year, and it's always a good experience. I wish I lived closer to it because I'd go more often.

If you find yourself in western Massachusetts or in the Albany New York area, go visit MassMoCA.

Rose Art Museum Update

"Rose Art Museum Remains Open, for Now," by Randy Kennedy; compiled by Dave Itzkoff on April 17, 2009.

"More on the Rose," by Richard Lacayo on Friday April 17, 2009.

"Art director slams Rose Museum future planning committee," by Ariel Wittenberg/Daily News Correspondent, Daily News Tribune, on Apr 21, 2009.

"Rose Art Museum's Meryl Rose Speaks Out Against Brandeis Claims" by Paddy Johnson 04/23/09 in Art in America.

"Brandeis to give Rose Art Museum reprieve until fall. Backers question committee's work," by Tracy Jan on Boston.com on April 24, 2009.

Boston Artisans Examiner

I have a new writing gig (besides this blog). I am the Boston Artisans Examiner on examiner.com.

My focus will be on Boston area/eastern MA artists who create art work. I will be writing about 2D and 3D in any media art or craft, art/craft authors, and etc. My plan is to publicize artists who promote their work whether it's online, at art/craft shows, open studios, for sale somewhere, or what ever. I will also be posting about as many Artist Open Studios I can find information about, as well as other art happenings. Every now and then there will be an article about Artisans who are not necessarily Visual Artists, but are Artists just the same.

Please check Boston Artisans Examiner articles on examiner.com regularly, to see what's new.

Artists Under the Dome

I received this email which I wanted to share with my fellow Massachusetts artists:

"Important call to MA artists of all disciplines by ArtistsUnderTheDome.org

We are asking that all Massachusetts artists of all disciplines sign up for the free ArtistsUnderTheDome.org's listserv.

This year there are several pieces of state legislation we are monitoring and we will need everyone's help to pass the legislation that is helpful to artists. They are listed on www.artistsunderthedome.org.

... We will alert folks via the AUD listserv when we need artists of all disciplines to show up at the State House for the hearing and also when we need artists to call and write their state legislators.

So please spread this request onto all the Massachusetts artists you know! (that means writers, musicians, performers, craft artists, etc..).

To join the our listserv: http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/contact.html.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Bitetti, Artist, Co-Founder of www.artistsunderthedome.org
Matt Barron, www.ruralvotes.com, Co-Founder of www.artistsunderthedome.org"

ArtsBoston

"As Newspapers Downsize, Cities Lose Arts Critics," by Laura Sydell on NPR is an interesting read.

The sad news is that the Boston Globe has very few Arts listings any more, compared to a few years ago.

The good news is that ArtsBoston has a new website that fills that void. Check out Museums & Visual Art listings, and also Film, Lectures & Readings, Music, as well as other Arts listings.

Thank you to everyone at ArtsBoston for offering this service!

Arts Leaders on (Boston) Globe Crisis

I was interested to read "Arts leaders on Globe crisis" by Geoff Edgers, on April 4, 2009 on Boston.com.

As an artist, and a long time reader (and subscriber) of the Boston Globe, I was thinking about the same thing when I read about the possibility of the Globe closing. The Globe already cut down on its Arts reporting many years ago.

I am hopeful that the Boston Globe can survive, and that they keep their Arts reporters. They're very good at what they do, and I am grateful for their work.

Arts Jobs Lost

I try to keep this blog positive, but had to post this. It's important to pay attention to what's going on in the economy and the Arts.

It's not a good time for Arts jobs. Here's some of what's going on in eastern Massachusetts:

"MFA exhibiting signs of the times, Museum lays off 33, will freeze pay starting next year" by Geoff Edgers on Boston.com on April 3, 2009. Quoting from the article:

"Reeling from the recession, the Museum of Fine Arts today laid off 33 workers, about four percent of its staff, and announced it will freeze salaries across the board in next year’s budget. .... Along with the 33 staffers laid off, the MFA won’t fill 21 vacant positions – bringing the total cuts to 54 positions."

"“This is a terrible, terrible time for arts organizations across the country,” said Melissa Berman, president of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in New York. “Lots of very generous people are really focusing whatever giving they can manage on basic human services: Food, shelter, health care. Arts organizations often get left out.”" Read more.

Also in Massachusetts:

"Staff jobs at Rose Art Museum in Waltham uncertain" by Lisa Kocian on Boston.com on April 2, 2009.

"Rose exhibitions are closing on May 17, 2009; no future exhibitions have been planned; Rose staff jobs are terminated on June 30, 2009." Read more.

Learn more about what's going on in the Arts in Massachusetts by watching this video with Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council: "Mass. giving less to charity?." There's more discussion in this video than job losses and giving. It also talks about the Federal Stimulus money for the Arts.

This is in Switzerland, not Massachusetts, but more Art job losses:

"UBS stops 'art banking' for rich clients" by the Associated Press on 04.01.09. Quoting from the article:

"UBS AG, the Swiss bank hit hard by the financial crisis, said Wednesday it has closed its "art banking" department, which helps rich clients buy and build collections. ..... Read more.

And, read "UBS, Art Basel Sponsor, Will Close Swiss Art Division" by Carolyn Bandel on April 1, 2009 on Bloomberg.com.

More about the Rose Art Museum, and More

New updates about the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University.

Read "Rose family denounces plan to close Brandeis museum," by Geoff Edgers on March 16, 2008, in the Boston Globe.

Quoting from the beginning of the article "In a public protest meant to put pressure on Brandeis University officials, fifty members of the Rose family today demanded the continued operation of the museum that bears their name and denounced plans to sell the art to pay its bills."

... and ...

"'Re–purposing' the museum is closing by another name,” read a statement signed by the family, which was scheduled to be read at a symposium at the museum tonight. “It would not be the Rose. Any other understanding of the university’s current plan is misinformation.  The administration wants to control money given to the Rose for museum purposes, to sell precious works of art, and to close the museum. We Object.”" Read more, and also the "Statement of Rose family members" (PDF).

Articles and Reviews

Read "Can Brandeis leaders be trusted?," "What is the Rose family saying?," and "Rose family objects to closing Rose museum," posted on March 16, 2009 on The New England Journal of Aesthetic Research.

Boston Art Dealers Association letter about the Rose, posted on March 19, 2009, also on The New England Journal of Aesthetic Research.

This is in New York, not Massachusetts where the Rose Art Museum is, but check out the article "Bill Seeks to Regulate Museums' Art Sales"by Robin Pogrebin on March 17, 2009 in The New York Times.

Then read "Overall, we would much prefer the New York legislature keeping its nose out of private sector business" on The Art Law Blog, on March 18th.

The Rose is NOT Going to Close

Here is an update about The Rose Art Museum, at Brandeis University, as posted on Boston.com on Friday, February 27, 2009:

Reinharz: Brandeis may face five years of shortfalls. Brandeis FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions".

Quoting from the most important question:

"Q. What is the situation involving the Rose Art Museum?

A. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misinformation circulating in the media regarding the Rose. The facts are: 


1. The Rose is NOT going to close. The Board of Trustees voted to keep the Rose open as a teaching and exhibition gallery that is even more fully integrated into University life and the academic enterprise. A faculty-student-trustee committee is looking into ways to accomplish this goal. We envision a day when the Rose will host additional events, welcome more visitors from both on and off campus, and exhibit student and faculty art alongside some of the collection's notable works. We are pleased to share the news that a donor recently stepped forward to help fund the continued operations of the museum." Read more.

Read what is being said elsewhere:

More damage control from Brandeis: Now it's the media's fault on February 27, 2009.

"Status of the Rose," on February 27, 2009.

The (Art) Week in Review

Below are is some of what happened in the Arts, in the Massachusets, this week.

Federal Stimulus Package:

Mass. could get $11.7b from stimulus by Matt Viser and Michael Kranish on February 14, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

Quoting from the article: "The Massachusetts Cultural Council would probably get about $400,000, which would be redistributed to various groups and artists, and a similar amount would be sent directly from the NEA to individuals and groups in the Bay State. The funding would help make up for a proposed $600,000 cut in the council's state funding." (Yeah!)

Shepard Fairey and/or ICA Boston:

"Artist Sues The A.P. Over Obama Image," by Randy Kennedy on February 9, 2009 in the NY Times.

Scroll down the The Art Law Blog to read the most current posts, and go all the way down to "Fairey Files (UPDATED 2X)" which was posted on February 9, 2009. There are a lot of good links here.

"Cultural acclaim, residents' anger. Artist's arrest points to a Boston divide," By Maria Cramer and John R. Ellement on February 10, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

"Fairey's art of hypocrisy," by Kevin Cullen on February 12, 2009 in the Boston Globe. Everyone's got an opinion, but all I can say about this is one is "OUCH!"

Stephen Colbert (my hero!!!), had a segment on his show, The Colbert Report, "Obama Poster Debate - David Ross and Ed Colbert," on Thursday February 12, 2009, where "David Ross and Ed Colbert debate the AP lawsuit against Shepard Fairey. (06:37)" Click on the link and search for the segment.

Art Education in the Boston Public Schools:

"Study urges more arts classes. Offerings dwindle in higher grades," by James Vaznis on February 12, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

Boston area college Art Museums:

"Campus icons, Amid uncertainty at Brandeis over the Rose Art Museum's future, officials at other institutions vow to keep their collections intact," by Lisa Kocian, on February 8, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

"Museum in Peril," by Kimerly Rorschach, Mary D.B.T. and James H. Semans Director, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Gary Tinterow, Engelhard Chairman, Department of Nineteenth-Century, Modern and Contemporary Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and Adam D. Weinberg, Alice Pratt Brown Director, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.

The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University:

Speak Clearly Rose.

300 attend Rose Art Museum town hall meeting by Ben Terris, on February 10, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

Arts in the Stimulus Package?

The headline on Boston.com yesterday afternoon was "Deal Reached on Stimulus," but no details (yet) if there is any money for the Arts, in the House/Senate compromise.

While we wait to find out, here are some things to read, that are probably a moot point (or as the family joke goes, "mute point"), but still interesting.

"Stimulate the Arts and Keep American Strong," by Robin Bronk on February 6, 2009 on The Huffington Post.

"In economic stimulus package, arts deserve place in line," by Chris Jones on February 9, 2009 in the Chicago Tribune.

"Do arts jobs count as jobs?," on February 10, 2009 on ArtsJournal.com.

And, here's a strange bit of news:

"Soprano's senator dad buries arts stimulus funding" by Mike Boehm on February 10, 2009 in the LA Times.

The (Art) Week in Review

Here is how last week started, and below the status by the end of the week, as far as the Arts are concerned. What a strange combination of events.

A week ago, the House of Representatives approved a version of the economic recovery bill that includes the Arts!

"NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION:

For an additional amount for ‘‘Grants and Administration’’, $50,000,000, to be distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn: Provided, That 40 percent of such funds shall be distributed to State arts agencies and regional arts organizations in a manner similar to the agency’s current practice and 60 percent of such funds shall be for competitively selected arts projects and activities according to sections 2 and 5(c) of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 951, 954(c)): Provided further, That matching requirements under section 5(e) of such Act shall be waived: Provided further, That the amount set aside from this appropriation pursuant to section 1106 of this Act shall be not more than 5 percent instead of the percentage specified in such section."

On Friday, the U.S. Senate, approved an amendment to the economic recovery bill that stated “None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center, and highway beautification project.”  No thanks to Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) who offered the amendment, it passed by a vote of 73-24.

Now we wait and see what the compromise is between the House and the Senate.

- - - - -

Brandeis University /Rose Art Museum:

Letter: Brandeis president apologizes for handling of museum issue.

- - - - -

Shepard Fairey / ICA Boston:

"Famous Artist Comes to ICA; Gets Arrested," posted by Matthew Gamber on February 7, 2009 on Big Red & Shiny.

... and ...

"How phony is Shepard Fairey?," by Dan Wasserman on February 2, 2009 in the Boston Globe.

But thankfully, there was also this:

"Shepard Fairey, success," by Geoff Edgers February 7, 2009 on Boston.com.

- - - - -

It's going to be interesting to see what happens next, with the economic recovery bill, The Rose Art Museum, Shepard Fairey, and also with everything else that's going on in The Arts. Please stay tuned.

Hard Time for The Arts Right Now

It's a hard time for the Arts right now. Besides the fact that artists of all kinds are having difficulties making a living as artists, and besides the fact that Brandeis University wants to close the Rose Art Museum and sell it's huge art collection, there is more Arts related news. I was rather taken aback this morning when I clicked on Boston.com (the Boston Globe's online newspaper), and saw three arts related headlines as the lead. Check out the links below.

"Boston schools face big job cuts, by James Vaznis on February 5, 2009 in The Boston Globe. This article is about the millions of cuts the Boston Public Schools need to make next year, including possible cuts of all art and music programs.

"Stimulus funding for arts hits nerve. Some doubt it would create jobs," by Michael Kranish on February 5, 2009 in The Boston Globe. This is about the Arts part of the stimulus funding proposal, with opposing opinions on whether the Arts are worth funding, and questioning whether it would create jobs. A must read for Artists.

A very good Opinion/Op-Ed piece by freelance critic Ed Siegel, who is a former theater and television critic for the Boston Globe, "Why should we care about the arts?," on February 5, 2009 in The Boston Globe.

"AP wants credit for Fairey's Obama image," By Hillel Italie on February 5, 2009 in The Boston Globe, about whether Shepard Fairey, whose show just opened at the ICA in Boston, is involved in copyright infringement.

Quoting the article: "The image, Fairey has acknowledged, is based on an Associated Press photograph, taken in April 2006 by Manny Garcia at the National Press Club in Washington.

The AP says it owns the copyright and wants credit and compensation. Fairey disagrees."

To sum up what I think about all of this, Oy vey!!!!!!

Massachusetts Artists

Part of this post is from a year ago, but is current for the next few days.

If you live in Massachusetts, and are a visual artist, musician, composer, writer, poet, playwright, new media artist, film maker, crafts person, actor, singer, performance artist, graphic designer, lighting designer, dancer, choreographer, or an artist not mentioned here, and have not done so, please complete the Artists Foundation Artist Survey. The Artists Foundation is collecting data, to better advocate for Massachusetts Artists.

Quoting from an email from The Artists Foundation on February 2, 2009:

"Just over 2,900 artists have filled it out!   Our survey was based on a MN survey and they had just over 1,000 responses. We would love to have over 3,000 responses!

Due to the request of several artists run advocacy organizations and artists leaders, we have extended the Survey until the end of this week (Saturday, February 7th, 2009).  Thank you to all of the artists who have taken the time to answer the survey!"