Source: stck.xchng Photo: rossbr
Culture and Art hit a rough spot in 2008 and the situation has worsened as 2009 started. Arts funding has dried up and artists are cutting down on their schedules to save money. This begs the question: what culture and art trends are we likely to see in 2009? We feel that two clear trends will emerge: Art and Culture gets better integrated with family life, and, online media takes center stage
Year 2009 began with many well publicized instances of arts funding getting cut both from public and private sectors. One of the most severe economic downturns in living memory was no doubt the main culprit. For example,struggling GM has yanked its support for Art and Culture in the motor city. And GM Foundation is not the only Corporate body deciding to cut its arts funding. The situation is exacerbated by local governments cutting spending as they struggle to balance their budgets. Even the artists are tightening their belts and cutting down on their schedules as the patronage appears to dry up. 2008 was already a rough year for Arts. So what is the year 2009 likely to bring? What new Culture and Art trends are in the offing?
In these tough times, Arts and Culture are considered as luxuries as the patrons and corporate sponsors try to focus on conserving capital and daily survival issues. Recovery is far off and is likely to trail the general economic recovery. Or it seems that way.
Arts and Culture gets better integrated with Family life
While all of the above may be true I think a counter trend is likely to emerge. Consumers are being more careful on when and where they spend their money and with this I think the focus again will turn towards inexpensive activities that can be enjoyed with the family. This could mean more family outings to watch a movie together and possibly more parental involvement in children’s art and cultural projects at schools and local community groups. Typically during the periods of economic instability, people rediscover the joys of family life and art and culture pursuits that involves the entire family as this strengthens family bonding by creating shared experiences.
Online Media takes Center Stage
Also watch out for online media becoming a bigger tool to showcase art. There are already services sprouting up to help artists and art organizations market on social media often inexpensively. Art groups and artists are now rapidly embracing social media. New Social media services create many opportunities for the artists to network within the artistic community as well as with art promoters. Many services also exist that allow the artists to showcase their work on online media. MySpace is one such social media site which is heavily used by the music community. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn allow one to form professional groups or networks to easily share information with each other. And Art blogs now abound where artists have started posting their artwork (paintings, photographs, podcasts, etc). And then there is YouTube.
Will this lead to the Utopian democratization of arts? 2009, despite its many challenges, will likely turn out to be quite an interesting year for arts and culture. There will be changes, hopefully the changes work towards getting more people involved. It will be interesting to look back in one years time.
How do you think the trends and the current economic situation will play out with respect to arts in 2009? Let’s continue the discussion
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Arohan,
I didn’t realize when I read your post that you had linked to my site, so thank you!
Maryann
Maryann, You are welcome!
Arohan’s last blog post..Time to invest in a manufacturing business
Economic instability will definitely have an interesting impact on the arts and the Internet subculture in 2009. A few creative minds have already begun sharing new ideas and opinions that will influence the Internet and its social landscape.
Luciusissafe.com is a place where a group of guys from LA and OC compile and dispense their thoughts and ideas, opinions and rants, and foresights and retrospectives. We embrace all things hyper-cool in the worlds of Nightlife, Fashion, Film, Music, and Art; be it mainstream or deep underground. Don’t sleep, this site will be expanding and evolving constantly. Definitely stop by often.
Luciusissafe’s last blog post..High like planes…
Luciusissafe, we will watch you and would love to write reports on you so keep us updated with what you have planned. And thanks for being a reader.
Arohan’s last blog post..Time to invest in a manufacturing business
I dont agree that recession will kill arts and culture. It may affect the page 3 kind but real art should actually thrive in such times. Art is not all about paying big money to buy paintings. It is also about expressing oneself through literary, pictorial and other media. In times of recession I think people actually take more interest in such things.
lvs’s last blog post..Who Owns the Knowledge In This World?
@lvs, corporate sponsorship has already started to dry up. Expensive art, as you point out, may not sell as well. We will see a reduction in exhibitions and performances. Art at the grassroots will survive and indeed thrive but will need to seek new avenues to promote themselves. I think we are mostly in agreement, art will not die but there are indeed tough times ahead
Arohan’s last blog post..Time to invest in a manufacturing business
I know i am a bit late, but in response to the above comment, i just wanted to add since i heard this recently, an art piece was recently sold (may 2010) for a record price making it the most expensive art piece ever sold. The guy on the radio had said it was a subtle indication that the market is economy is making an upturn, but I dont agree with that. I think that the richest people get even richer during these times, and it’s those people who are buying this type of art.
@Ivs above, i completely agree, REAL art thrives during these times.
.-= Ana´s last blog ..How To Become A Fashion Designer =-.