>>Im curious why are museum professionals astonished that an artist might want
to be paid for the display of his/her work? ....<<
I don't think this should be a confrontational issue between museums and
artists, after all we depend on each other, but I would like to give a
museum's side.
For example, we are currently organizing an exhibit on a local artist, who has
been working for 20 years, but isn't well known. The museum went out and
raised $38,000 in corporate funds (the corporation was our contact, not his)
to produce a poster, exhibit catalog, prints, invitations, opening reception,
educational materials for teachers, promotional signage and media materials
for this exhibit. We have arranged media coverage of the exhibit, including
two leading magazines. Through our operating budget, we purchased the
exhibit's signature work from him for our collection at his price. And this
doesn't count all the people-hours working on the exhibit.
For this, the museum is able to fulfill its mission of bringing cultural events
to our visitors, providing educational materials for school groups, and giving
visability to local artists. (We do not charge admission, so we get no
monetary reward.)
But the artist also benefits through the exposure. Your argument would seem
to indicate that we should now pay him a fee for the privilege of spending
over $50,000 showcasing his work and promoting it.
I don't think we are taking advantage of this artist, and I am sure he feels
the same way.
P. Fox
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