I believe the Universe smiles on those who support and encourage the creators & passion-followers… All those wonderfully supportive people have good “Art Karma.”
Establishing any sort of creative life or career built around a passion can be tough, resource-sucking and fickle and even when things are looking good on the “outside.” Spreading the word, gaining audience, fans and customers takes almost as much time and is as hard a job as the actual creating the creations — and financial remuneration for one’s life’s passion is usually slow to come by until a sizable audience or fan base is solidly in place.
Sure, money is critical but there are so many FREE/cheap and easy — and even FUN — ways to support those around you that I wanted to acknowledge ALL forms of support here. They are all important.
And, if this idea is new to you and you feel like a little Art Karma would be just the thing for yourself, I encourage you to check out this list and become a “patron of the arts” as so many of my own friends and family and fellow creatives are.
Ways you can support creators include:
- Employ creators — especially for their talents (I consider my branded content clients “patrons of the arts”)
- Buy tickets and “show up” to their performances
- Buy their original art or crafts, tee shirts or whatever they’re selling
- Buy their books (especially from links on their site) and “show up” to readings
- Respect copyright — any content (books, movies, TV, periodicals) that’s ripped off severely damages the creator’s bottom line. Of course, borrowing from friends and libraries is cool, though.
- Give proper credit (FREE!) when sharing a (fair use) portion of anyone’s work, please credit the creators! Better yet, ramp up your Art Karma by including a link to their work.
As well as taking the time / thought to:
- Spread the word (FREE!) and share your friends’ / family members’ creative projects, businesses and works of art — or important milestones on social media.
- Put up positive reviews (FREE!) on sites like Amazon or BN.com (books), IMDb (film), etc. For businesses, YELP, etc.
- A referral, a reference… graciously connect him / her / they (FREE!) with your second cousin “in the business” and can offer advice, etc.
- Offering a shoulder / an ear (not in a Van Gogh way; I mean as in “listening”) / encouragement for chosen the endeavor.
My own generous family and friends and fellow creatives have gotten (and continue to get) me through tough times in a variety of unbelievably generous, kind and encouraging ways — from moral support to financial aid and I am so, so grateful for the embarrassment of riches I’ve received from them.
Suffice it to say that if you have creative professionals in your life — even if they appear to be doing so well — it doesn’t mean they’re okay on all fronts. Do a solid for one or more of them and increase your own Art Karma.
Clancy Designs glassblowing studio in Jamestown, RI.
I hope Art Carney is looking down and smiling at the use of his Photoshopped image as the Art Karma mascot for his fellow creatives. He was born in Mount Vernon (neighboring my own hometown of Yonkers) and worked a lot in New York City, so I feel some kindred spirit.
• • • • • •
Disclaimer: In case Art’s estate lawyers are reading this, I believe this is image is protected under the rules of satire.