Here at AmbushArts.com, we’ve been placing an emphasis on community, on how important it is for artists to support one another both within and without the marketplace. In our first two issues, surveys were conducted to get an idea of how involved our readers are when it comes to supporting the arts, helping others improve their craft, and seeking feedback for their own work. The results, of course, were varied. A few readers are rather active within the artistic community; some are juggling secondary careers and other responsibilities and have less time than they would like to get involved; others seem to be creating in isolation. Since it appears that most readers have to rely on a “second” job to support their art and that money and time are the most commonly perceived barriers to artistic success (see
survey results for last issue), it seems that if we are to create a greater support infrastructure within the artistic community it will be through small, relatively painless commitments rather than martyr-sized undertakings.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways each of us can help out that do not require a huge investment of time and energy. For this issue, we’ll focus on outreach. One of the easiest and most effective means of supporting the art community is to help increase its audience. Like it or not, artists are competing with “reality” television, Hollywood blockbusters, celebrity memoirs, video games, and deep-pocketed marketing teams for the fickle attention of American audiences. We need all the help we can get. With that in mind, I’d like to suggest a few simple ways each of us could help recapture some of the hearts and minds lost to junk media:
1. Take a coworker out to hear creative music and get them to share their thoughts afterward. 2. Give someone you know a novel or collection of short stories you’d like them to read but know they won’t buy on their own and talk to them about it once they’re finished. 3. Take an acquaintance who doesn’t ordinarily go to museums or galleries to an art exhibition and engage them in conversation about the works there.
Whatever you decide to do, make it fun and interactive. The experience should be just as much about the art as it is about the two of you. By exposing people to art in a personal way, there’s a greater likelihood the encounter will have lasting meaning. So muster your enthusiasm and bring someone new along on your next artistic adventure. Anything you can do to foster a greater interest in art in those around you will benefit art practitioners everywhere.
Need something worth sharing with your friends and coworkers? The artists in this issue could be a great place to start. If you enjoy their work or live near where they can be heard or seen, why not share what they have to offer with someone in your circle. Give it a thought. And remember, your support, whether it’s buying a book or CD from one of these artists or offering them some words of encouragement, makes a difference. Feel free to contact AmbushArts.com with any relevant feedback you may have, and I'll pass it along. Enjoy the issue and spread the word!
Ad lucem,
John Thomas
Founding Editor
