Thoughts from the Webmaster (4/5/2005)

Of late, the arts are receiving a fair share of attention in Montana after the Montana Arts Council released its "Economic Impact of Montana Artists" (click here for the full report), in which it is stated that the arts and associated business are the 3rd largest industry in the state. I think this report took many people by surprise, and many organizations, businesses, and individuals are now scrambling to find out how to support the arts and nurture them into a successful industry. Sound familiar? It should, it's been the mandate of the Montana Arts Council (MAC) since its creation.

The opening portion of the MAC mission statement reads: "The Montana Arts Council is the agency of state government charged with promoting and expanding the significant role of arts and culture in our lives…..." Though this sounds good on paper, how does it work? How does MAC help promote and expand the arts in the state?

I tried to call MAC to determine how they accomplish this but was unable to reach anyone. I then proceeded to read the "Montana Arts Council FY2001-2006 Strategic Plan" (click here for the full plan). The plan is broken up into 3 parts: Education, Economic Development and Increasing Agency Resources.

The Education portion of the Strategic Plan is dedicated to educating Montanan's on the benefits of the arts & how to make art (including performing arts). It completely ignores the single largest request I hear from artists, which is "can you teach me how to sell my artwork?" Creativity and Passion aren't what we need to learn, its how to make a living doing what we love. That could even be the name of the class.

The Economic Development section of the Strategic Plan highlights the need to market Montana Art and Artists, by forging partnerships, building awareness with business and financial leaders, create tribal liaisons, facilitating media exposure for the arts and implementing a promotional plan. The last one scares me a lot…

MAC was created in 1967 under Statutory Authorization - title 22, Chapter 2, Montana Codes Annotated (read the statute here). Part of that statute requires that MAC: "…foster public interest in the cultural heritage of our state…" Are they just now starting the implementation of a promotional plan? It took them 38 years to figure out that they need a plan? Does this surprise anyone else?

The State of the Arts appear to be fairly drab if MAC has left out a major portion of there mandate for the last 40 years. A better question is, what HAVE they been doing? Where is the justification of nearly $1 million dollars a year budget they spend? I don't need someone to tell me arts are important and spend a $1 million dollars a year to do so.

It would seem that the leadership and/or governing council has been too busy blowing there own horn, to help the artists in this state make a buck. Is it because they don't know how? Why not recruit someone who can?

I read a recent article in Western Montana InBusiness (read the article here), in which they interview Geoff Sutton, prior owner of Sutton West Gallery in Missoula, and arguably one of the most successful Art Entrepreneur's in the state. He was recently appointed a position in the Governor's Office of Economic Development to promote Montana Artists through the world. Rumor has it that his salary is for the next 6 months, after that he has to "earn his keep". I hate to sound like a broken record, but we're willing to be taught that arts are important at an expense of $1 million a year, but we can't buck up and pay someone to teach us how to make the arts profitable on its own?

All ranting aside, I'm certain that Mr. Sutton will be successful. He has the experience and networking skills to get the job done. I only hope that the politically ambitious folks in Helena give him the financial support he'll need to make things happen. Best of luck!

-Montana-Artists.com Webmaster

Post Comments: