Putting the ‘patron’ back in ‘Patron of the arts’
admin | Monday, November 10th, 2014 | Comments Off on Putting the ‘patron’ back in ‘Patron of the arts’Artists need to create for creation’s sake. But they also need to support their families. In our current culture, an artist who wishes to do the latter needs to forego part of the former and created for the sake of commerce. In other words, no one’s going to pay you to paint something that can’t be sold.
This hasn’t always been the case. Once upon a time, as it were, those with means would provide patronage for the arts. A talented artist could find those who would invest in not just the product of his or her labor, but in both allowing them to flourish… and to support themselves and their family. Yes, there would be strings attached – a painter would be expected to provide paintings here and there to his patron – but there was a viable and mutually beneficial arrangement at the core.
This is why AggMedia provides free hosting and web services for singer/songwriter/ actor/director (and more!) Cory McAbee. We believe in his art. We take joy from it. And, as such, we have a vested interest in making sure that he can make art that we can enjoy in the future.
All of this brings us to you. You too can be a patron in the older sense of the word. Support Cory (and other artists) at Patreon. Help them have the time and freedom to make art without having to chase commerce in order just to make ends meet. Support art by supporting artists. It doesn’t take much and the world will be better for it.