Pointe of Art
Following is the fifth installment of my monthly arts column,
called "Pointe of Art" at the Pointer News. March, 2001
Self Promotion and the Arts
by Robert Maniscalco
Over the years, I have been widely praised, as well
as derided, as a vigorous advocate and promoter for
the arts. I also stand accused of being a flagrant
self-promoter. It's true, I spoke boldly about the
exhibits at my gallery, which featured local artists.
I rail loudly about the issues facing artists and
arts organizations. I am an advocate for legislation
that would make it possible for all creative artists
to receive a fair market deduction when they donate
their work to charity. As President of the Wayne County
Council for Arts, History and Humanities I worked
to develop county funding to create ARTnerships between
cultural and social service organizations. Sometimes
I ruffle feathers while championing opportunities
on behalf of artists and those who understand the
importance of the arts in our lives. Oh well.
In our local circles audacity is often frowned upon.
We are expected to be unassuming and gracious. We
are deeply influenced by our puritan heritage. Self-promotion
is considered terribly bad taste. Though I understand
this attitude, it poses a difficult challenge for
those of us who believe what we are doing for the
community is vitally important. For instance, I have
never understood how we, as a society, think nothing
of major corporations spending millions of dollars
to promote their brands, literally everywhere we look.
Meanwhile, we resent the efforts of a few entrepreneurs
and community minded individuals, who, on a shoestring
budget, maintain we have a right to expect our children
to actually receive a complete education, which includes
first hand experiences in the arts. It's a fact that
children who grow up without training in music, art,
dance or theatre have less of an ability to think
conceptually, spatially and creatively. My stand is
for everyone to be truly self-expressed and ever more
fully alive. I may look like an idiot flapping my
wings but that is my stand for me AND for you, dear
reader.
Did you know there are often hundreds of arts organizations
fighting the good fight in every county in America?
For instance, Wayne County has about 575 grass roots
arts and culture organizations teaming with creativity
and working hard to make our lives richer and more
rewarding. In fact, the Wayne County Council for Arts
History and Humanities is working overtime to bring
these organizations to the attention of the county's
more than 2.1 million citizens. That's a tall order
but well worth the fuss when you realize the tremendous
impact the arts can have in a community, not only
culturally but economically as well. For example,
a few years back the City of Detroit generated $93
million in revenue from the Van Gogh exhibit at the
DIA.
My only goal in running a gallery, being President
of an Arts Council or writing this book for that matter
is to bring the arts home to our communities. To do
that I have had to barrow a few lessons from the marketing
geniuses of our time, people like Jim Seros, Bill
Gates, and yes, good ole' George W., all of whom understand
the concept of brand recognition. Too bad for Van
Gogh he never sold a single painting when he was alive,
considering how much brand recognition his work enjoys
today!
What is this fear that drives us always to begrudge
the visionaries? Many in our community believe that
"real" art happens elsewhere, say New York
City or Paris. Celebrities are never one of us. Familiarity
does indeed breed contempt. With all the money being
spent by corporations, bombarding us at every turn,
it may be easier to just ignore the arts right here
in our own back yard.
If artists, or groups like the Grosse Pointe Art Association,
the Grosse Pointe Theatre or the Maniscalco Gallery
stopped saying, "hey everybody, we're here,"
where do you suppose that would leave our nice little
communities? I for one can't imagine living in the
cultural wasteland that would remain. Self-promotion?
I can think of much worse things we artists could
be doing with our time. Personally, I'd rather be
painting right now. We live in a world, however, where
if you want to sell you have to tell.
By the way, did I mention the girlee exhibit will be running through
April 27th at the Maniscalco Gallery? Just thought I'd squeeze that in.
I hope my esteemed editor will forgive my vulgar indulgence. Again, let's
not be too hard on the editor of the Pointer News. Steve Palffy is in
fact, one of the visionaries I'm talking about. The newspaper you hold
in your hands is most definitely fighting the good fight as a valuable
resource for arts and culture in the Pointes and beyond. Hmmm, I wonder
if that last statement might be considered overly self-promoting . . .
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