NEW ERA IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY IS UPON US

By Will “Topiltzin” Sanchez (Photograph Ivan Gomez)

Since entering the art scene over 20 years ago and establishing ourselves, until this day, my mission is to develop creatives. Not only as a studio artist but as artists who collaborate and co-design with community partners or residents around a collaboratively defined aspiration. We’ve operated a wide range of professional development training and events throughout the years.

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Instantly I understood, that the term “Professional Artist” is a misnomer. By definition, a professional is a person engaged in a specified activity as their main paid occupation, rather than as a pastime. Professional artists are in the business of producing art to make an income, yet very few achieve this outcome. It takes years of experience, networking, and name recognition to be considered an example of success in the creative industry. These processes are outside the scope of the creative’s studio development as an artist, yet they impact the individual artist, just as the individual artist impacts the surrounding community. There are terminologies used nowadays to explain or describe the evolving field that intentionally leverages the power of the arts, culture, and creativity to serve a community’s interest while driving a broader agenda for change, growth and transformation in a way that also builds character and quality of place.

For centuries the creative industry has been attempting to get reciprocity for the light we shine in this world, to different levels of success or failure. Unfortunately, more falls into the category of the latter for a constant unbalancing of the scales.

Until the year 2020, when the world changed, and the “new normal” became the death of many arts sector formats. From concerts to exhibits, we, along with the entire creative industry were closed the majority of 2020, receiving funding to keep the business going, but unable to share our passion in the conventional ways. Artists did what we do best, adapted and overtook the internet. It was empowering. They cannot take that away, for we live and breathe art.

Yet here it is 4 years later; the creative industry has tried to return to the previous status quo where the bureaucratic entities handle the support meant for us and we artists are starving. No. This is not acceptable, most had to become Independent Contractors and learn to reinvent themselves as businesses to qualify for funding others got working for employers or regular self-employment. Just to survive. The fact is the government recognized we have value more than a painting, worth beyond a poem or performance. Once the IRS implemented changes to accommodate the millions of creatives that had no category before. A new era began. There is no returning, only forward, for there is nothing guaranteed but death and taxes.

Artists or the arts and culture community have been the catalysts of the gentrification process since the beginning of civilization. Today, we base redevelopment plans upon it, just look at many of the local neighborhoods whose economic strategies are implemented to help their communities, all dependent upon the arts or enticement of the artists to come live or work there. The next level is to create a workforce development strategy to implement an actual process, document it and analyze the data as any other business producing products would do. And since we artists don’t find it idealistic to care for such things but put most of our thoughts into creating, the universe decided to take care of this for us.

It reminds me of a story we’d recite to each other whenever we felt overwhelmed at the odds against us. Sitting in our condemned building, hungry, chain-smoking cigarettes, and conspiring against the world as we transformed it into a historic art gallery with our own hands.

Once upon a time, there was a man, who worked hard most of his life. I drove a nice car, lived in a large house, and vacationed in different cities annually. Living comfortably, as we all strive for.

This man loves to cook and often has parties for his barbecue ribs. One day he decided he wanted to open a restaurant. He leases a nice building, takes out a mortgage on his large house, buys nice furniture, and everything matches. Real silverware, glassware, and nice dishware, with nice pretty flowers. He rents a billboard that reads, “Best ribs in the city!” He does nicely, the place is full every weekend.

Along came another man, a wealthy man, a great man. Drove a great car, owned multiple houses in great cities worldwide, wants for nothing.

This man loves an investment, to develop his city and contribute to society.

He reads an article about an up-and-coming neighborhood, researches, and decides he wants to open a restaurant as well. He buys the greatest building in the area, holds no expense back in renovations. Purchases custom made furniture, classy silverware, glassware, and gold flaked China; everything is branded with his logo. He spends heavily on marketing, ads in all the major media with a slogan pronouncing, “Best ribs in the world!” He does great, you need to book a reservation a month in advance for a seat.

One day, both men were in their restaurants during an off day, glancing out the windows they notice a tremendous crowd of people. Concerned, they step outside to find the source of the gathering, to learn it was a line, leading down the street and around the corner. Following the trail of smiles, they come upon a dilapidated storefront, nothing special, without pizazz. Just a great mass of happiness abounded, an atmosphere of delight with the taste and full stomachs retreating into night of the city. They peered through the dirty windows, at the mismatched tables and chairs, paper plates and disposable forks. Looking for a sign they notice a makeshift wooden placard, with hand painted letters reading, “Best ribs on this block!”

The secret is always in the sauce.