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futurisms:iheartmyart | curate:

In a survey of attitudes toward artists in the U.S. a vast majority of Americans, 96%, said they were greatly inspired by various kinds of art and highly value art in their lives and communities. But the data suggests a strange paradox.

While Americans value art, the end product, they do not value what artists do. Only 27% of respondents believe that artists contribute “a lot” to the good of society.

Further interview data from the study reflects a strong sentiment in the cultural community that society does not value art making as legitimate work worthy of compensation. Many perceive the making of art as a frivolous or recreational pursuit.

Other insights further illuminate the depth of the paradox:

• A majority of parents think that teaching the arts is as important as reading, math, science, history, and geography.

• 95% believe that the arts are important in preparing children for the future.

• In the face of a changing global economy, economists increasingly emphasize that the United States will have to rely on innovation, ingenuity, creativity, and analysis for its competitive edge—the very skills that can be enhanced by engagement with the arts.

The American Paradox via hydeordie newleft: lifeonfiction:meltdowntown: buyhercandy: okayjokesover:somethingchanged

The reasoning should be obvious. The distribution of “excellent” art vs. everything else is highly skewed. Most art is not valuable because it’s not of high quality. So I would interpret these findings as 96% of people value high quality valuable art (it’s sort of a self-evident statement), and 73% of Americans realize most self-proclaimed “artists” will never create anything of high value.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t teach children art skills or art appreciation. I’m a musician (as a hobby) and I owe a lot to the music education and performance programs I participated in as a kid and continue with today. But to look down on the Americans who don’t value artists is like saying we should value coal because we cherish diamonds.