Gif from The Artist's Dilemma (1901)
So is blockchain the advent of Web 4.0? Is it a new renaissance as some would like to believe? Can upvotes to artists and creative types actually support their lifestyle and craft? Or is this just a jump from crowdsourced kickstarter campaigns or Patreon pages to the newest shiny platform?
A simple search on Steemit for "artist" yields copious results of posts that act as pseudo portfolios for artists around the web. Some are quite handy like this post from 
As trite as it is ... making art is hard. Passion and perseverance often do not lead to pay. So artists find side-hustles to support themselves so they can pursue their creative impulses. The lucky few who can earn a living through their art must then face the challenge of forcing creativity through deadlines, feedback changes and revisions (but that's a different post).
Currently the United States government is slashing support for the arts and public media, I can't help but wonder if our culture even values art making any more. Is a government's disbursement of funds an accurate reflection of a society? Or is making art the struggle of individuals, and not the responsibility of a nation?
Shout out to street artist Joe Boruchow
As an artist, I wish I could just draw all day and not worry about the business of art. Most art schools would have us believe this fantasy too since they do a piss-pour job of training students on how to actually earn a living as an artist. Instead, we must search for galleries, non-profits, and or foundations that have a mission that our work "fits" into. We draft artists statements in the hope that someone jives with our vision and our identity so that we can catch our big break: an exhibition (where we might sell a piece and give 30-50% away on commission), a small grant to do research for our next big idea, or a week-long residency where we can "get away to focus" on our work. How is any of this sustainable as a career for an artist to live and have a family?
Artists need general operating budgets so they can do their work – Ask the tough questions, inspire conversations, and make our world a tiny bit more beautiful. Sadly, most foundations do not fund operations for 501 c3 non-profit organizations, let alone individual artists. But, maybe the idealist vision of Steemit as an engine for artists isn't just a pipedream?
Perhaps, all we need is a geek squad (or incubator) to train artists on how to leverage Steemit? Maybe, there's an innovative non-profit out there whose mission is to support and assist artists? Maybe, they just need to launch a blockchain literacy program that can empower their constituents to go out there and mine new currencies while they make more art?
How else can Steemit and or other blockchain platforms help artists support themselves while they do their thing? Share your comments below!
100% of the SBD rewards from this #explore1918 post will support the Philadelphia History Initiative 