Pay artists for their work

MAYA ROSE FERNANDES

Remember studying about the Gupta Empire in school? It was called the ‘Golden Age’ because the rulers invested in significant advancements in the arts, including sculpture and architecture, literature, science and philosophy.

Then, there was that chapter about the Mughal empire, where emperors Akbar, Shah Jahan and a few others were great patrons of the arts, influencing the development of miniature painting, poetry and much more.

Even the Kadamba dynasty, which ruled parts of present-day Goa and Karnataka, had a notable appreciation for the arts and culture, for example, in the realm of temple architecture.

I’ve written before about how we seem to have lost our ability to actively invest in artistic development in Goa, especially after Portuguese colonisation ensured that the colonial empire directed all efforts, investment and resources towards their preservation.

This resulted in the systemic devaluation of our artistic abilities in favour of skilled labour that served our rulers at that time. But, it’s been decades since those rulers left.

Why haven’t we returned to taking pride in and actively investing in, as well as preserving, artistic traditions and supporting our artists, designers, architect, writers, poets, sculptors and others, in general?

There’s barely any patronage, institutional funding or infrastructure to support artists across Goa. For how many more decades will this oversight continue?

What’s triggered my ire this week is being approached by different institutions or entities, if you like, to provide them with free work. In their minds, they imagine that they’re offering me some sort of space or patronage that is going to benefit me, in some way or the other.

Could someone please tell me, when did Goans start regarding art as social work, demanding artists to become free service providers for society?

Just google the value of art to society and the myriad benefits that are provided, but why for free? What is it that makes anyone complacent enough to not be embarrassed to approach an artist for free work?

I’m talking about people who continue to approach me to deliver free workshops for them, moderate panels for them, develop workshop materials for them, without any mention of remuneration for my time and effort.

I understand approaching interns or graduates – we’ve all been desperate to build up our CVs. But, why would you approach an established professional for that?

If you’re a person who doesn’t have to worry about paying rent, electricity or water bills, pay for healthcare or perhaps you don’t have to worry about buying groceries, or paying taxes and that’s just some basics I’ve listed, then maybe I’d understand your insensitivity towards artists, writers and professionals when you approach them for their professional labour.

Otherwise, why on earth would you approach me as if I was a non-profit charity?

Those doing free work for you have the privilege and patrongage of having someone else paying their bills.

This could be anything from a trust fund to a primary income that isn’t arts-related, to spousal support, a family inheritance or life savings one is choosing to dip into to sustain their living.

Let’s face it, the majority of artists, writers and similar do not have this privilege or patronage available to them.

Let’s get real. From my experience, bookstore or literary festival selfies on Instagram do not translate into actual book sales, nor do they get you author perks that will help pay the bills in any meaningful way.

I believe strongly in intention and energy exchange. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you don’t value your work as an artist, nobody will. So, start there.

If you’re an artist, start saying ‘No’ to free work.

Those who approached me this week got my standard response after they outlined what work they wanted me to do for them, while being clear that they were providing me nothing in return for my effort.

I’m part of a group of women artists who believe in getting paid for their time, effort and energy, so I will have to decline the offer to do work for you for free.

Consider this your public service announcement about paying artists for their work.

And, if you’re going to ask me why I hone in on ‘women’ artists in particular, then please use all of your privilege to understand that unequal pay is very much a thing in our society today.

And, women are still very far away from breaking any sort of glass ceiling, especially in the arts sector.