CSA/Community Supported Artists

There's Community Supported Agriculture and now I propose Community Supported Artists. 

Naturally, I am always seeking funds to continue on doing the good work of painting, teaching, writing about art and art-making, readying for exhibitions, and also setting up or maintaining a working studio and a teaching studio.

As with farmers, oftentimes for the artist, there is a time of investment and intense preparation and cultivation - for an exhibition, a workshop, or research grant deadline, say - and then, a time for harvest, or sales/teaching fees/residency/grant, for example, in the artist's case.  The first period requires time, dedication and funding to make the second period fruitful.  And, yet, it is often a time when money is not incoming.   In addition to the funds needed for the art-making and preparation, there are all those other bills that continue to pile up! - even given the materially simple existence that I, for example, live.

Also, the relationship to the arts in this society can be rather fickle.  Just when it is most needed, people turn away thinking that the arts are only meant for the high times, for the times when we have sure footing.   But this view suggests that art is mostly entertainment, something superfluous or extracurricular, when, in fact, art and creativity are integral to our beings and necessary to a surviving and thriving culture.   It's in times of trouble that we need art and art-making and the liveliest creativity.  You can read more of my thoughts on this subject here: We need a Culture of Creativity.  We NEED Art. As a result of the low value placed on the arts in our society, the government is of little help - particularly compared to the investment that other countries make to support the arts and their artists.

A CSA of the artist variety allows you to support an artist during the fallow period - which, mind you, is fallow only in the sense of currency earned - creatively, it's a mighty juicy time.  The share you buy will pay fine returns in the form of inspired class study or a work of art in the future. Consider buying a "share" for, say, $250 or $500 or $1000 that would be an advance on lessons/classes or a painting/drawing purchased or a portrait commissioned (or some combination thereof) in the future.   It would be seriously helpful and much appreciated.

Thank you for giving this idea some thought!

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Along these differently thinking-moving-being lines, I'm also starting up a "barter central" list of folks in the Hudson area who are interested in barter.  And, I'm going to offer a weekly community drawing class, on a "pay what you can" basis, to reach a wider, more diverse audience and to encourage more art-making, creativity and seeing differently in this time that begs serious change.

Wendy Shuster

POB 1202

Hudson, NY  12534