Reclaiming the artist identity | Amelia Sirianni | TEDxKalamalka Lake

Key Concepts

• Inherent Creativity: The belief that all humans are born with creative potential.
• Art as a Necessity: The idea that art is crucial, especially during times of crisis, for comfort, connection, inspiration, and motivation.
• Artist Identity vs. Art Production: The distinction between being an artist (a way of thinking and moving through the world) and the act of producing art (measured by output and financial success).
• Economic Realities for Artists: The challenges faced by artists in making a living wage through traditional artistic mediums.
• Transferable Creative Skills: The application of artistic skills (emotional intelligence, problem-solving, collaboration, storytelling, authenticity, inclusion, empathy, activism) in conventional work environments.
• "Making Your Own Work": The concept of creating opportunities and projects when traditional avenues are limited.
• Artistic Narrative: The personal definition and ownership of one's identity as an artist, independent of external validation or financial success.
• Being vs. Doing: Shifting focus from the act of creating art to the state of being an artist.
• Inspiration and Space: The importance of dedicated time and space for creative thought and inspiration, even when working to pay bills.
• The Role of Artists in Society: The belief that artists, collectively, have the power to influence, inspire, and drive positive change.

The Universal Nature of Art and Artists

The speaker begins by establishing that everyone present is an artist, whether through formal training, hobbies, or past experiences like taking a dance class or trying painting. This is based on the premise that "all humans are inherently creative beings." The video emphasizes that "what the world needs now is art more than ever before," particularly in times of crisis, where art serves to "comfort us, to remind us we're not alone, to inspire us, and to embolden us, to fight for a better future." A key statement highlights art's role in resilience: "Life beats down, hash the soul, and art reminds you that you have one."

The Economic Challenges Faced by Artists

The speaker, a musical theater actor and performance artist, shares the personal struggle of making a living solely through traditional art forms. This is a common issue for many Canadian artists, with the speaker noting that "the older I've gotten with uh more responsibilities like a mortgage and child care costs, the less opportunities that I have had to make a living off of art creation." The transcript poses rhetorical questions about the financial realities: "What happens when no one will buy more paintings at the local artisan market or your podcast has made you pennies in the last 6 months or the musical you're performing in pays in gas gift cards." The speaker acknowledges the "capitalist construct" of needing to earn money, quoting Alice Coltrane: "Everyone is an artist until rent is due."

Re-framing the Artist Identity

The speaker initially intended to present data from a report by Hill Strategies Research, which indicated that "under 20% of artists can make a living wage, that's around $56,000 a year in Metro Lake Vancouver by practicing their traditional medians." The original plan was to advise artists on how to "switch the narrative" by applying their honed creative skills to conventional jobs. These transferable skills include "emotional intelligence, creative problem solving, collaborative skills, storytelling, authenticity, inclusion, empathy, and activism," which could "transform and progress your workplaces." The advice also included the idea of "make your own work," as suggested by the speaker's husband, who transitioned from actor to master electrician, film festival producer, and back to actor and entrepreneur.

However, the speaker's perspective evolved. The core argument shifted to the understanding that "producing art is the byproduct of being an artist." The definition of an artist is not tied to the quantity of art produced or its financial success. Instead, "An artist is measured in the ways in which they think and move through the world. How they build and foster community, challenge, viewpoints, and enrich people's lives." Crucially, "no one no one but you gets to be the barometer of your artistic narrative." The conclusion drawn is: "If art is priceless, then you are invaluable."

Embracing a Broader Definition of Artistry

Claiming one's artist identity is now viewed as "a state of mind." This involves cultivating a supportive community and releasing the "preconceived notion that I must remain creating only within my original traditional mediums." The focus has shifted from "doing" to "being." An inspiring artist's advice is quoted: "it is important to spend time not faking art. You need time and space for inspiration. And often during that time, you're working to pay the bills. And that's okay."

The Collective Power of Artists

The speaker concludes by amending the initial statement about the world needing art. The revised sentiment is that "what the world needs now is artists because art itself isn't going to save the world. Artists are." The speaker reiterates that "we are all artists in whatever ways you choose to define that." This collective identity gives "a fighting chance to put out the fires that rage across our planet figuratively and literally." The final empowering message is: "an artist cannot fail. It is a success to be one."