Arts Administration as Resistance

Typically, people do not consider what happens in the background in the production of art. Arts administration is at the base of any organization or personal artistic practice. Without the many functions included in arts administration, an artist would not be able to get anywhere with their art and resistance work. One must have a strong base to build off of. However, I do not really see how arts administration can be a type of resistance in and of itself. In my opinion, it is all just part of the whole, finished product.

As an artist, there are many aspects of arts administration that must be completed in order to be successful. A lot of people likely do not think of this or know how to perform these functions, so it is definitely something artists need to be educated on. One must be able to be both an artist and a businessperson at the same time, or have other people to help with the business side. Both of these aspects must be equally supported and equally focused on. An artist can produce a beautiful piece of work but if they do not know how to properly price their piece or how to market their piece, for example, the process will end after production. Artists must be able to determine who their target market is and sometimes alter their work in a way that would be more attractive to that particular group.

Arts administration can support resistance work by informing an artist of their capabilities and limits in their practice. A large part of creating art to consider is the financial feasibility of whatever one is creating. When I interviewed my artists for this trip, both mentioned how they would not accept any job unless they knew they could complete it well and make a profit at the same time. Of course, an artist can absorb the cost of production for themselves but without the funds, larger resistance projects with the intent to be widely distributed are likely impossible.

As a photographer, I have had to learn how to market myself as an artist as well as marketing the work I have created. Currently, I am selling my images through Fine ArtAmerica and using a Facebook page to get my images out there and to build a following. This process has been difficult. It has just been something I do for fun, not expecting much profit, but I have committed a great amount of time to market myself through these outlets. I must keep track of expenses involved in production of items I sell and price my work accordingly in order to be profitable. I am considering starting my own website and taking charge of the production of items as people buy them due to the high costs Fine Art America charges due to their high production costs. I have gotten feedback from a few potential customers saying the pieces are out of budget so a change may need to happen in order to make more sales.

Artist Statement and Statement of Resistance

Artist Statement: 

At times, pictures can provide more sensory stimulation and captivation than words can with the variety of colors and textures that can be captured in a single frozen moment. For someone who typically has a difficult time putting ideas into words, I have been drawn to photography as a way to express myself and explore the world. I am a digital photographer who focuses on and is inspired by the beautiful landscapes that surround me. I traditionally found beauty in natural spaces where plants and animals have been allowed to live unaltered by man, but have also come to find beauty in created structures. During 2015, I studied under Tracy Lukehart, a professor at Solano College, where I produced my first collection, “The Road Less Traveled,” and gained knowledge in technical aspects of photography such as lighting and composition. However, I have found that self-teaching and experimenting is one of the best ways to expand one’s craft. Through this experimentation, I have discovered my own style as an artist and my passion for the environment.

At the core of my photographic work is environmental preservation. Preserving the environment is a hot topic as of late as scientists are beginning to monitor the effects and bring their concerns into the public eye. Temperatures are rising, icecaps are melting, and animals are having to adapt to these and other changes. This is a subject that I hold close to my heart, as I was raised in a family that went camping every year and spent a great amount of time enjoying and admiring nature. Year after year, we would return to Lake Almanor during summer and find the area relatively unchanged even though so many other things in this world change every day. However, after looking closer, the effects of global warming were clearly evident in the years of drought when the lake level dropped to 4475 feet in October of 2015 and rose to 4493 feet in February 2017 after the first significant rainy season. I have witnessed this continual change through my annual visits and am devastated at the potential loss of this beautiful recreational space. Land like this must be protected and cared for. For this reason, nature is one of the main subjects in my work. When I am out exploring nature, I try to capture nature and the things I find beautiful in the best way I can.

With my photographs, I want to be eyes to those who are unable to see for themselves the places or subjects I photograph. An economic or physical impediment or simply an inability to pay attention to or see the beauty in subjects could prevent an individual from truly understanding the beauty and importance of nature. Art is typically not accessible to all so I want to be able to distribute my art in a way that can reach a wider audience. I want to show an audience how beautiful our land is in order to inspire them to work harder to preserve it in any small way they can. I want them to feel the same joy I feel while on location as if they were there with me in the moment my shutter snapped closed. 

Photo by Natalie Leduc

Statement of Resistance:

As I create this project, it is important for me to identify what I believe and what I aim to do here. I strongly believe that nature is worth saving, and that small steps can make a large impact. I recognize that I am not alone in fighting this issue. Many have come before me, and many will come after me in the fight for environmental preservation. I resist those who refuse to acknowledge that this is an issue worth fighting for or simply brush off so called tree huggers. I must celebrate the fact that there is a large community of people who are also passionate about this issue and reach out to join them, for a community is stronger than an individual. We must recognize and celebrate the progress that has been made so far, but also that there is a long way to go.