At first glance, it might seem like artists live in a frivolous world of pure creativity, inspiration and play. However, the reality is far more complex and labour-intensive. Even the most effortless-seeming works take a lot of....well, work.
A survey by Creative Independent in 2018 found that 74% of artists said they felt overburdened by the administrative side of their careers. Many reported they spend around half their work week on non-creative activities.
These numbers vary greatly, depending on the individual and the project. See bottom for sources.
When someone comes to see one of my solo productions, they experience a night full of interactive comedy; campy show tunes; equal parts humour and heart. My hope is that they leave feeling uplifted and perhaps a bit enlightened. However, I also hope they take a moment to consider all of the gruelling work I put into producing and performing a one-person show.
This includes conceptualization, creation, fundraising, venue coordination, marketing, ticket sales, costume and technical design, and more. And then there's the actual PERFORMANCE, which is the only part the audience generally sees. This is the standard for grassroots artists like me. In some cases, outsourcing is used for certain elements of production, but it is not always a privilege afforded for each project.
Beneath the visible surface lie much larger chunks of work in the murky depths of the water.
The Tip of the Iceberg:
The small tip of the iceberg represents the final products that the audience sees—completed paintings, sculptures, performances, or any other artistic outputs. This visible portion is just a fraction of the entire process of producing quality work, often accounting for only a small portion of the total work involved. It's the polished result of countless hours of effort, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Of course, every industry has unseen grind and complexities that consumers and clients don't realize exist. But because there are far fewer standard protocols in any art form (everyone does things their own way), it's difficult for even fellow artists to discern one another's process and individual obstacles. Like athletes, they don't know everything that goes into training and performing in every single sport.
A solo operation can sometimes feel like this level of chaos and overwhelm.
The Hidden Bulk:
Beneath the surface lies the majority of an artist's work. Recognizing and respecting this hidden hustle leads to a greater appreciation for the final products or works-in-progress that artists share publicly. It also highlights the importance of supporting creatives not just for their public work, but for and during the relentless efforts required to have something to show.
The life of an artist is much more than the tip of the iceberg that we get to see and appreciate. It's a complex juggling act that demands far more than just creativity and public exhibition. At the end of the day, art is a passion, but it is also a job.
Next time you are enjoying the fruits of an artist's labour, take a moment to think about what it took to make that happen.
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