Employment

We've been hearing all over that we are living in very uncertain economic times and I've been thinking about the nature of self employment, particularly for artists. 

If you've been there, looking at a whole new year and wondering where your money is going to come from and knowing that you only have plans to make money on your craft, it can be a little daunting. 

Imagine now, for a moment, that you are one of Canada's artists, maybe one of the ones that aren't expecting to make more than $23,500 this year before taxes (as published in the 2007 Toronto Canada Council Annual Report).  What if your vision is to make a CD of your songs (upwards of $20,000)  or you want to make a movie (upwards of $100,000)?  Where is that money coming from? AND, if you do make it and manage not to have collection agencies on your butt for the next five  years, how do you know that it will make a single cent to put in your pocket?

I hear lots of people say "oh actors! oh musicians! oh artists!  so heady, so irresponsible."  The artists I know are all working jobs that they would rather not to make their rent or mortgage payment.  "So does everyone" you may say.  

I'd like to take a moment to recognize all of Canada's artists that are trying to write, speak, dance, play, learn, perform and educate all while trying not to freak out about how they are going to pay February's bills when all the work is drying up in January!

Be brave, press on!