Social Currency

What is the value of

your Social Credit Card?

No all exchanges are monetary. Today, many countries still use a barter system. Barter occurs when their is a discussion over the value of goods or services. As artists the discussion of the value of or how to value art is often discussion.  We are accustomed to debating value.

However objects are not the only way to measure value, time or labour and knowledge can also have a dollar amount attached to it. Artists are one of the few people not paid by the hour.  The value of our time is a whole another debate. As artists we often struggle with cash supply. So the question is "is using the credit card the only option when exhibition and production costs are adding up?

I think its time as artists we need to be honesty with ourselves, we often complaining about our work and time being undervalued, but do we value our time ourselves and the time of our fellow artists. For social barter to effectively work we need to have an ideas of the value our skills or personal resources are worth.  These may be useful tools if we want to engage a graphic designer for a local, we might be able to offer our skills and services in return. I am thinking I often make these kinds of exchanges with out thinking of it or its value.

Our industry teachers us to have an income we either apply for funding or we fundraise. But its that the only resources we have? I not sure how much fundraising you've done lately, but as an individual its hard work.  But its a lot easier if you have ten mates to give you a hand.

I wounder how many times this week you been asked for a cash donation? It has become also most constant. If your like me you don't mind giving a donation if you believe the money is going to something your really passionate about.  I think more and more donation are now being viewed as a social investment or an investment in our community.  When we make an investment we expect a return. So giving an artist $10 towards an opening and never seeing that person again, in not a return on a donors investment. . .  As an artists I try to earn social credit before asking for help or an outright donation.

I prefer to build relationships in the community, this earn respect, the local art supply shop might cost more, but I am also buying advice and experience in how the products work.  As a society these were once things we valued. 

I think we should not undervalue small business owners and the services the offer with the products the sell.  Even a local coffee shop might be willing to promote your exhibition is you are a regular customer and also recommending you to others.  Look I know this artists and she pretty good you might want to have a look at her work.

I have built some key relationships and I know they ask how my works going. I only need to say I got an exhibition is three week and they say where the flyers. 

There word of month advertising or a discount on catering all helps bring down my costs.  The lower my costs the higher my profits.  Well maybe one day the will be a profit.

In the meantime using social credit to build interest in my work still makes a lot of sense.  I am also the first person to offer advice to someone.  You never know when I might want advice form some one.  I am more likely to help someone who is a generous person themselves.  I find I not needing to ask for favours all the time, instead people offer help.

Social credit is essential in building an audience.  Get five people through the door and next time the might just bring their friends.  The old fashion values of respect and appreciation can buy you a great deal of social credit in your local community.

Deb's top social credit tips

• Personally support your local community. Shop locally!
• Support other artists - by word of month advertising, distributing flyers, or taking friends to their opening nights.
• Join a local artist group
• Assist others to fundraise
• Volunteer your skills or offer your skills in exchange for a service you require.