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.

Arts Funding

Many people may be unconcern about cuts to the arts, and affect on our economy. The two seem distinctly unrelated. Firstly, as an artist and an arts worker whose main income is derived  from arts funding let me declare my biases. Then let me assure you, my DSP puts food on the table and pays my rent. 

As the founder of ArtISability, my interest in the arts is around connecting people. Art has this magical power to connect people and bring them together.  Art breaks down social barriers and communicates to us all. It weaves the fabric of society together: connecting the young and the old; different cultures and religious beliefs. Breathing opportunity for discussion and healthily debate via capturing differ views and objectives - sometimes without the utterance of words. 

Art speaks when we as a society are speechless. When we hurt it gives expression and provides healing. It gives us reason to smile, laugh and to dance, art gives colour to an otherwise grey world.  Art breaths life into our communities and the for economy. 

So let me take this opportunity to open your eyes to see what types of activities arts sector funding supports . . . Television, film, actors, producers, directors, screenwriters and production companies . . . Theatre, dance, performance, music, composes, song writers, musicians, clowns, comedy and drama. Box office, ticket tech, technicians, directors and cleaners . . . Our comics, story tellers, illustrators, scriptwriters, photographers. . . It bring design, colour and beauty to our homes, decorates the walls of our offices, hangs on the walls of our galleries and places of worship and its colours and picture bring life to old buildings. . . It educates our children before the start school, and prevents memory loss as we age. . . Creates  design for our clothing and decor. . . employment opportunities spills from the arts across tourism, leisure and retail.

It is a major contributor to employment and the economy. To promote the arts and invest in job growths in new industries and technologies. Why politicians view art  as a luxury we can not long afford and fail to acknowledge the stimulus in the economy I do not know. 

The arts belongs on the election agenda  cuts to art funding hurts you the general public than it does me as an artists.

Where is your logic?

The rights of all!

Frankly I don't give a dam about your rights,

If you need a gun, buy a gun. But I would

question if you think you need more than one!

Unless you use them for sport or hunting

or maybe you own a farm, I admit there is a need,

but I ask you to be responsible keep them,

under lock and key, when there not in use.

For in the wrong hands the a deadly,

In the hands of a depressed person or

someone psychic the become weapons of

mass destructions. We buy the message

our rights matter more because we abide the law.

Frankly I don't give a dam about your rights,

I care about the rights of children,

The right to an education without fear,

I care about the leaders of tomorrow,

I care about the freedom of speech and

the opportunity to express ideas and opinions,

without fear of judgement and condemnations,

I care about those so disillusion,

that the turn to the internet for answers,

becoming radicalised and trained to hate,

Where are there rights for freedom and protection,

there rights to be protected from access to guns.

Frankly I don't give a dam about your rights,

I not saying you can't or shouldn't,

I simply suggesting some people in the community

need protection - the kind of protection,

your guns can not provide for them.

What is more difficult? To put limits and safety nets

around, access to guns and gun ownership,

or to fight a faceless war online and lock down or

block out website that radicalisation.

We either find away to protect isolated youth,

from the dangers for cults and radicalisation,

or we make it harder to buy a gun.

We all have rights and the right to a future.

Debbie Chilton © Copyrights, 2016