Thanks for expressing everything I've been feeling — again — lately, Jenna. Living in a society that continues to prioritize other things over cultural engagement and creative understanding is frustrating. I caught up with a friend who works, or rather worked, at the Wisconsin Humanities Council yesterday. As with so many humanities orgs nationwide, their funding has been slashed and their important work shuttered. It's depressing, and I don't know where we go from here. I really appreciate your recent essays and am glad to have found you here. I hope we can connect in person someday. Thanks for doing what you do. Please keep going.
Thanks Andy. Appreciate the discussion and the share. It's totally frustrating to see projects (and research!) get defunded because it doesn't align with one party's values. I don't know how some institutions will survive. They likely won't. Scientific research, the arts, and higher education has always been our strength and a valuable export. So hard to see what's happening right now.
Thanks for your clear writing on this. I expected almost everything that's been happening to the arts and humanities (and everything else) because of this administration's stated goals beforehand. Seeing the destruction happen over and over and understanding the negative impacts all of this is having (and is going to have on future generations) is enraging. I can barely contain my anger at what's going on.
As an artist, it's already been hard enough trying to make ends meet and now, there's even less to look forward to in terms of funding. Private funding through grants and so forth is going to become so much harder to obtain. While the art market was already contracting before this administration took office, now, there are definitely fewer people purchasing art at my level. Those artists at a level or two above where I'm at might be doing "ok", but everyone, from the "blue chip" level on down is feeling the squeeze.
What's worse is thinking about the future of the arts and humanities in this country. When you have so many people who are vehemently anti-human, cruel, power-hungry and greedy to the core seizing control of and decimating some of the best (if not perfect) things we have to offer in helping people live better lives, it's hard to see how to turn this around. The damage is going to be felt for years to come. I'm going to keep doing what I do creatively because I have to, for myself and for the future.
I feel and understand your rage. It feels like everything is just getting harder. I’m so worried about the arts and humanities but now also scientific research. I worry for my kids’ generation. No, it shouldn’t come as a surprise but the cruelty in their blatant messaging is enraging. I applaud anyone who is trying to make a living as an artist these days. Keep going, Tim, because the world needs artistic vision like yours now more than ever.
The parentheticals really made this one hit home. I do not have strong enough eye muscles for all of the eye rolling that is warranted in these times. And would venture that all art can be political. I love the sketch of the child. Beautiful.
I too am an immigrant and also grew up on everything that PBS has to offer. It truly makes me sad and angry and begs the question that you put forth, are the arts just for the elite? Or those who can pay?
Art is for everybody, but there's always been gatekeeping and elitism (part of why I left art school, actually). There are ways to get free tickets to museums here in NYC if you are a resident, but at $30 per ticket, it is really cost prohibitive for lots of people. And let's not get started on concert tickets! Prices are so outrageous! I wish it were more affordable for everyone. This is why we need public funding and community programs.
Thanks for expressing everything I've been feeling — again — lately, Jenna. Living in a society that continues to prioritize other things over cultural engagement and creative understanding is frustrating. I caught up with a friend who works, or rather worked, at the Wisconsin Humanities Council yesterday. As with so many humanities orgs nationwide, their funding has been slashed and their important work shuttered. It's depressing, and I don't know where we go from here. I really appreciate your recent essays and am glad to have found you here. I hope we can connect in person someday. Thanks for doing what you do. Please keep going.
Thanks Andy. Appreciate the discussion and the share. It's totally frustrating to see projects (and research!) get defunded because it doesn't align with one party's values. I don't know how some institutions will survive. They likely won't. Scientific research, the arts, and higher education has always been our strength and a valuable export. So hard to see what's happening right now.
Excellent read. I'll share.
I appreciate the share, Tamara 🙏
Thanks for your clear writing on this. I expected almost everything that's been happening to the arts and humanities (and everything else) because of this administration's stated goals beforehand. Seeing the destruction happen over and over and understanding the negative impacts all of this is having (and is going to have on future generations) is enraging. I can barely contain my anger at what's going on.
As an artist, it's already been hard enough trying to make ends meet and now, there's even less to look forward to in terms of funding. Private funding through grants and so forth is going to become so much harder to obtain. While the art market was already contracting before this administration took office, now, there are definitely fewer people purchasing art at my level. Those artists at a level or two above where I'm at might be doing "ok", but everyone, from the "blue chip" level on down is feeling the squeeze.
What's worse is thinking about the future of the arts and humanities in this country. When you have so many people who are vehemently anti-human, cruel, power-hungry and greedy to the core seizing control of and decimating some of the best (if not perfect) things we have to offer in helping people live better lives, it's hard to see how to turn this around. The damage is going to be felt for years to come. I'm going to keep doing what I do creatively because I have to, for myself and for the future.
I feel and understand your rage. It feels like everything is just getting harder. I’m so worried about the arts and humanities but now also scientific research. I worry for my kids’ generation. No, it shouldn’t come as a surprise but the cruelty in their blatant messaging is enraging. I applaud anyone who is trying to make a living as an artist these days. Keep going, Tim, because the world needs artistic vision like yours now more than ever.
Thank you, Jenna.
The parentheticals really made this one hit home. I do not have strong enough eye muscles for all of the eye rolling that is warranted in these times. And would venture that all art can be political. I love the sketch of the child. Beautiful.
SO MUCH eye rolling. And thank you - the child is mine ☺️
I too am an immigrant and also grew up on everything that PBS has to offer. It truly makes me sad and angry and begs the question that you put forth, are the arts just for the elite? Or those who can pay?
Art is for everybody, but there's always been gatekeeping and elitism (part of why I left art school, actually). There are ways to get free tickets to museums here in NYC if you are a resident, but at $30 per ticket, it is really cost prohibitive for lots of people. And let's not get started on concert tickets! Prices are so outrageous! I wish it were more affordable for everyone. This is why we need public funding and community programs.