CIG may fund struggling artists
(CNS): The plight of local artists who struggle to make end meets and cover basic needs, such as health insurance, during periods when they cannot sell their work could be funded by public cash, officials have said, as part of a support system for the local arts. As government engages in a public consultation regarding the creation of a formal culture policy, how people involved in the arts can keep expressing their talent when they have no money is an important consideration.
Among the many things the policy aims to do is to provide support for local artists, performers, musicians and creative entrepreneurs, but that support could go beyond promoting them, protecting intellectual rights or providing places and venues for them to display or perform their work.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Nancy Barnard, the deputy chief officer in the premier’s health ministry, which is responsible for culture, raised the idea about more direct financial support and assistance for Caymanian artists. She said the status of artists is a critical aspect in the promotion of culture and heritage. Accessing funding for creative work, social security and tax benefits is something the policy will contemplate.
Barnard said most people depend on their employer for health insurance but artists may be working alone in studios and some of Cayman’s best artists are struggling to access healthcare and put food on the table as they do not have anyone to help them, especially between exhibitions or at times when they cannot sell their work.
“We will need to flesh this out over time,” she said, as she acknowledged that they were lofty goals but said that artists do need financial and social support.
With that in mind, one of the policy objectives in the document now circulating in the public domain is the promotion of the status of local artists to facilitate their freedom of cultural expression. The document states that artisans living and working in the Cayman Islands would be supported and encouraged and be given the formal status of an artist.
The aim is to create a registry of artists working across all genres and to take measures to protect the intellectual property and copyright of their work. It will also help promote their work via local and national media. Officials said that artists require a supportive and enabling environment, which until now has not been formalised in Cayman.
But going beyond the idea of promotional or legal support for rights, the government proposes to provide access to social services, healthcare and training for artists as well. Barnard explained that for some struggling artists, covering their healthcare costs at times can be impossible and they need welfare support. She said art is like a calling and artists need financial support as they will not always be earning enough to keep themselves and will need help.
Visit the ministry website to see the policy document and details about the consultation.
Category: Art & Entertainment, Local News
Its payment for not letting them sell the art on public beach
My neighbor is an artist, stays at home and never leaves. So please pay them to do even less to hit the ground trying to sell their “art”.
Education the Children and all will fall in place.
I would like to thank the culture committee for thinking outside the box. And challenge all of those people who think this is a terrible idea to (a) get a copy of the raft policy and (b) do the survey. Both are available from the Ministry website helpfully linked at the bottom of the article. (Having just looked at the feedback form it asks a lot of questions about parts of the policy. If you work through the questions you probably won’t have to read any more of the policy if you don’t want to.) The policy drafters drafters were doubtlessly responding to people in the community saying “government needs to support artists more”. So they put out a proposal. Now its up to everyone on here to give their opinion (use the form) about the draft policy. So they can now what to take forwards and what to drop (paying ‘artists’). If all you do is bellyache on CNS, well, then you didn’t really care, did you? And you’ll feel really stupid if when they go to pass this they say ‘well we got a hundred feedback forms in and only 2 said we should drop the payment and 4 said we should keep it so we left it in because no one really seemed to care either way’.
Ha! Didn’t realize. Doing it now.
?
I’m an artist, but I work to support my passion, I don’t seek or expect ‘welfare’ in a country were jobs are easier to get than art supplies … it’s called having PRIDE
Right, my man. Right on. In addition, your steady job can get/be promoted and people tend to support/give you work in that respect.
Exactly!!
The uncivil service already chomping at the bit to roll out their cash handout schemes. For the Minister to let this progress to this point is simply shameful.
When will we get the reaction buttons back? If ever there was an article that needed them this is it!
CNS, why do the buttons keep disappearing? If it was a technical problem thought it would have been sorted by now. Its not the first time after all. Have you decided to do away with them?
CNS: We’ve had a variety of technical issues with the voting buttons. To solve the latest one we have to find a way to regularly purge old data so the site doesn’t crash.
Fund struggling artist and neglect to distribute birth control in high schools. Priorities, priorities. Smells stink of election campaigning.
Twyla Tharp once said, “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.”
…I’d add ‘or getting a lively hood that pays the bills’
Not everyone is meant to be an accountant, doctor or lawyer….
Very true indeed. By the same token, not everyone is a successful artist either. Sometimes you need to move on and/or balance one’s income (fallback job) for a healthy livelihood.
Steady income from artwork here, with a small population is and always will be limited.
Artist/painters want an international stage to be truly successful, it won’t happen here just buy selling created works. That’s the reality.
Could one become the next great and sought after artist? Certainly, and that’s what keeps them going. That and the creative process of course. Let’s not make anyone complacent by handing out funds just because…
A better way is for a nationally funded art house where artists would showcase their work and the public views and purchases. Artists that participate are rewarded. I see art pieces selling for CI$1,800+ for 1 piece. These are artworks, some prints. All imported. See my drift?
The public needs to have a steady place where they can go and view and purchase. Not an occasional show, but a daily studio that’s also a shop. With multi-artists works, not just one or two.
Thankfully those aren’t the only professions in existence. You can have a professional career where you work 9-5 Monday to Friday that allow you to use your creativity: art teacher, interior designer, architect, graphic designer…the list goes on.
Not everyone expects the tax payer to pay for their chosen career either.
We need less government not more- this is nothing more than blessing welfare
Can someone say Nation Building Fund Part 2
“Ok…”National Building Fund Part 2”
Quite the Culture war going on, and if this doesn’t show that the aggressors are hateful and ignorant, as opposed to peace loving Caymanians, … and to think there’s more of them here than us! 🙁 At least the CIG can look at this and start supporting as many of them as possible! I don’t care who! Just start!
“the aggressors are hateful and ignorant, as opposed to peace loving Caymanians” This is THE most ignorant comment on this article. YOU are ignorant if you think most of these comments are NOT from Caymanians!! That’s rich!
I made one of these comments and I AM Caymanian. And paying ‘starving artists’ is a very ignorant socialist pathetic thing to support when you have children going to school without being fed properly, running around uncared for because the parents are having to work 2 jobs to support them. I could go on and on. You choose your path and don’t expect others to pay for you.
Like like like like like
Just Another day in Absurdistan
A good start would be to protect local businesses from overseas competition and civil servants who unfairly compete with them. Let’s deal with the obvious first then these lofty ideas.
Wow this is all very harsh. Artistic endeavours are essential to cultural development – in a country that can afford it (as this one can – the issue here is egregiously improper spending, not lack of money) why not try to assist those Caymanian artists who contribute to the richness of the country’s culture? Not a hand out to everyone with a paintbrush, but a carefully managed program of promoting talent when it clearly exists. Government supports amateur athletes, low-GPA university students and other causes of arguably similar importance, and many far more questionable causes. I can think of many things already funded that I’d trade for this.
THANK YOU! Well said.
Trouble is, you are not getting to choose between things that are already funded. This is just an additional expense that you will have to pay for, on which you were not consulted at all. Whereas if government didnt fund it, you WOULD get to choose what your money was spent on.
I have nothing against art, but I don’t think the role of the government is to use tax-payer’s money for economically supporting individuals or businesses whereby they can already help themselves through the buy&sell-market.
This sets a bad precedent whereby more individuals that are not in dire need, will be asking for handouts.
Please CIG … do not go down the path of mostly socialism … have a balance! This is not the way to do things. First, strengthen the market and make it more competitive, reform Immigration by increasing the population here for more circulation of monies, reduce high fees upon businesses and make it easier for Caymanians to start and own businesses, and then … you will see alot more jobs created, and the poor artists will have a piece of the pie :/
Artist means more than a person with a paint brush…..
Musicians are artists. Singers, dancers…..etc.
Most of these ignorant comments are simply coming from people who really do not know any better. Yes, artists all over the world struggle, but many other place have private wealthy persons setting up foundations to assist the arts. Long after they are gone the foundation continue to do it’s work.I acknowledge that some private businesses and individual do assist the arts here but understand please, that governments all over the world make room in their budget to assist the arts. Cayman is way behind in this benevolent custom and really need to step it up. The character of a country is shown among other traits by how it preserve it’s art and invest in the artists that make it happen. Ms. Bernard, please put together a series of minuets to inform and educate our people about the value of art and the artists. I am sure that CITN would be able to find a slot in the evening news to run them. Most people don’t intend to be mean spirited, they just do not understand.
Sure, we can all agree that sponsorship of the arts and exhibitions is a good thing…but that’s a far cry from a Cabinet administered register of “artists” designed to bypass NAU and personally hand out public money to chosen unviable “artists”…right before an election. To all but the most naive, that is vote-buying.
You have got to be kidding. Cayman is way behind in many more important areas that affect real living breathing and suffering human beings- hungry kids, people with mental illnesses, young offenders mixed with career criminals, etc..
I agree.
I don’t really care about your views I just say for decades every artist knows it’s a struggle so what I am saying is they should do this part time and get a day job. I too enjoy raring cattle but know I can’t pay my bills from it., so does the government subside my bills, HELL no!!!
You must be joking. The government is not supposed to just randomly redistribute wealth. If someone choses to be an artist musician or whatever that is their choice. Why should everyone else be forced to pay for it through taxes or by forgoing other important government initiatives and programmes? And who will decide whether someone is an artist or just a freeloader with a paintbrush? And why is a struggling artist more deserving than any other unemployed person? What a rediculous plan. There are dozens if more pressing issues to fund before paying crappy artists or musicians who cant make a living. Maybe they could just find another job?
What would Van Gogh say about this hysterical, nonsensical vote-buying suggestion?
The formal database of Artists and determination as to who requires/deserves support, would not be in place until after the elections – perhaps not for another year or two – so the vote buying reference is moot.
After taking direction from Cabinet, the draft policy was created by the Ministry responsible for Culture in conjunction with stakeholders in the culture and heritage, along with education, tourism and business sectors…the politicians were not involved in the process of the draft to-date.
And did anybody represent taxpayers? You know, the people and companues that would actually PAY for this foolishness?
Please educate yourself: Van Gogh would probably support this idea, considering that during his lifetime he only ever sold one piece – and that was to his brother. He was the proverbial struggling artist, and must have longed for some patronage.
We be tryin to create some culture on this Island. One mans art is another mans garage sale. How you decide who got art and culture and who just lazy hungry.
Did you forget about the elections are coming. Take care of what they will give now it will be 3.5 years before you get anymore. All is coming out now.
This elections reference is a moot point. The formal database of Artists and determination as to who requires/deserves support, would not be in place until after the elections – perhaps not for another year or two.
Exactly – if you don’t vote for me, I wont get in and will not be able to set up the fund. Far better scheme than providing a fridge or some beef – that’s up front with no guarantee you will get the vote.
So a senior Civil Servant is suggesting that we subsidise people with insufficient artistic talent to sell their paintings – has this place gone completely mad.
What a about the poor struggling caymanians with children who can’t get a job because of cheap (slavery) labour
Then those people should try find something else to do and reinvent themselves.
Like take up art?
Like anything else that legally brings them income.
Lots of jobs around that require minimal education. Waiter/waitress, bartender, courier, driver, salesperson, teller, entry level govt jobs etc.
Agree 100% with 1:01 and 12:49
Maybe they should reduce some of the salaries to the highly paid over qualified ‘caretakers’ of cultural arts.
More imprudent decision making by leaders that can’t resist the thrill of unaccountability. So questionable the Deputy was tasked with unveiling the latest “Nation Building” cash recipient “register” to the media. Maybe these “poverty artists” need solar panels and household appliances while you’re at it – why pretend to be bashful with our money? To the members of the ACC I say, so long as we ignore this behavior, it will flourish and weaken us.
“Status of the Artist” is a United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommendation for states parties world-wide. There are 192 countries which are states parties to this – including the UK – so Status of the Artist can be extended to the Cayman Islands. Please read the recommendation for more complete information: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=13138&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
If it came from Unesco, please send it back.
So are you saying that if we (Cayman) develop an official program to support the arts in Cayman, we will begin with a 7,000 word document to lay the groundwork? Agreeably, Cayman could use a government lead program (not necessarily financed) program supporting the arts on our islands, but a bureaucratic morass is not the way to start one.
I double check today date, thought it was Tom Fool’s Day (April Fools Day) – I see that I am wrong so the joke is on the public!!!!!
Make the struggling artist work for their health insurance (ie. road side clean up, park clean up, beach clean up).
DCFS/NAU/CINICO are and will continue to be the downfall of our country. The welfare mentality is might prevalent in our beloved isles and it doesn’t look like the “powers to be” are trying to do anything about it.
The thought process behind this proposal demonstrates precisely the wrong approach by policy developers in government today.
The policy makers in government need to immediately cease the creation of schemes to charge the public for the rampant inefficiencies in our economy. Be advised that you are not supposed to be acting as “Robin Hood” / the proverbial distributor of wealth. Your role is to create a framework that allows business, including our local artists, to flourish.
How about a simple move like the one introduced on Montreal, Canada. In their aim to promote the arts and beautify the city, the government required developers of commercial buildings to allocate 1% of the cost of the development project to an art installation. When you walk the streets of Montreal today you will come across brilliant displays and and permanent art installations.
Why not pursue an approach like this where the cream (the best artists) will rise to the top and those who are not worthy will need to seek an alternative profession? This framework rewards the best rather than charging the public to prolong the slow demise of those who are not suited for their selected profession.
Examples for CIG to consider:
Canada –
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Public-Art/Percent-for-Public-Art.aspx
http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Recreation/Pages/Public-Art/Mandate-and-funding.aspx#funding
USA
New York – http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/panyc/percent-for-art.shtml
Philadelphia – https://www.philadelphiaredevelopmentauthority.org/percent-for-art
Ohio – http://www.oac.ohio.gov/percent-for-art
Massachusetts – http://artsandplanning.mapc.org/?p=492
Europe – http://www.publicartonline.org.uk/resources/reports/percentforart/percent_schemes.php
Ireland – http://www.publicart.ie/main/commissioning/funding/per-cent-for-art/
Australia – https://www.finance.wa.gov.au/cms/Building_Management_and_Works/New_Buildings/Percent_for_Art.aspx
omg you cannot make this stuff up
I am a struggling local carpenter who has to constantly compete with people from third-world countries – many who work for $6.00 per hour. So, Miss Barnard what are you going to do for people like me?
Can I get access to social services, health care and training???? I have to pay for T&B license, workers compensation, health insurance, pension, tools, gas, upkeep of a vehicle – and all this while government is issuing work permits – and you wonder why us locals can’t find work.
But with all that said, got to also blame our own people as they are the ones hiring those who come some 8,000 odd miles from the other side of the world to work here for minimum wage.
Imagine this, salaries in the construction industry have remained stagnant or actually have gone done since the mid-90’s.
But carpenters can be considered artists too!
Plus don’t blame the labour that is cheaper. Blue yourself for not keeping up with the times and work out ways that you can improve or other ways that make you a profit. There are just something’s that people do not wish to pay for as they used to do.
Or they can do what struggling artists do in the rest of the world and get a paying job!!! Why should the rest of us have to fund their passion?
This is what government does, takes money from everyone and sets priorities for its use. Artists have been identified as needing help to continue drawing, painting, making things that can be displayed and sold in the National Gallery, bought by tourists and as gifts, and keep local culture and traditions alive in an age when they are no longer needed. This is the schism at the heart of modern society and the cause of all its apathy: the more what you do is thought of as having an intrinsic reward, the less you are paid to eat. Everyone in life is now forced to choose between following a passion and paying their bills. We still need passionate people to keep those paying their bills convinced there’s something more in the world. Look deeper – perhaps into a painting.
BeeEss. If art is its own reward why do we have to subsidise the artists. Everyone has to make their own way even if they have no special talent.
Some of the Caymanian artists (Caymanian and Residents) are educated in the ‘arts’ – with their Master of Art degree that they achieved through years of hard work (and high college fees) just like the accountants and lawyers whose passion is law and accounts. Let’s encourage them in their chosen field – attend an art show, see their work, listen to them as they too are proud of their achievements. Buy a piece of their work, tell your colleagues about them too. You will learn that they have their work on display locally, in international art galleries and in private collections across the globe. Art may not be appreciated by everyone in our country but don’t discourage our local artists – ‘big them up and make Cayman proud’ That’s Caymanian!!!!
Here Here! This is the comment is a great way we all can support the arts in Cayman. It has lots of good suggestions that we all can do. Missing (I think) is a call to support the arts in our schools!
Thank you Andre.
I agree. If the populace thinks art is relevant, then the market will reward the top artists. An arts endowment could be the answer. It could award grants based on excellence so only the best receive such grants. Speaking of art degrees, only 10% of art grads in the USA earn enough from their chosen vocation to make it their primary means of support. I would also ask what role did the Cayman Islands Government play in the mix? Does the CIG award arts scholarships? If so, how many are awarded each year and is any thought given to the fact that an art degree is almost a sure ticket to poverty and discouragement for many young people?
I left my job six months ago to concentrate on writing poetry. Although I have written hundreds of poems so far no-one will publish them or buy them. Times are hard, let me tell you. People will not even pay to have me read my poems to them. I am pleased to hear that the Government will fund me with public money as I continue my work.
lol
LOL
How much do you charge to read it? You can read it to me.
This is beautiful. Don’t listen to what anyone else has to say. From a fellow artist to yourself, as long as you’re happy that’s what matters. I’m sure your poetry is great.
Whoosh?
If they can’t sell their work, they should get real jobs like the rest of us.
Here’s an idea… If you art work isn’t selling like hot cakes don’t give up your day job!
Let me reword that headline for you CNS…
“CIG may fund vote buying”
WTF who told these guys to turn artist, they should know it is a struggle to make ends meet in these islands and elsewhere. So I am a fisherman who fishings from shore, will the government buy me a boat pls? Ops forgot this is election year. So whilst at it help us shore fisherman.
‘Bout time…..long over due.
Can I get a work permit to be an artist? 🙂
Perhaps they are struggling for a reason? My insurance sales are down, can I get a likkle hep too?
what the f———– did I just read
what the hell???…does anything make sense around here?
What about the struggling retired civil servants who worked for 25 years and because they left the service before they were 60 can not get HeLth Insurance from Govt how can some one never worked one day for Govt have preference over someone who worked 25 years
This UNESCO recommendation within the draft CI National Culture and Heritage Policy and Plan, is not just “around here” – it is in 195 member states (most countries/territories on the planet) including the UK, USA, Canada, Jamaica, the Phillipines…) You can see them at: http://en.unesco.org/countries/member-states
III. Guiding principles
1. Member States, recognizing that art reflects, preserves and enriches the cultural identity and spiritual heritage of the various societies, constitutes a universal form of expression and communication and, as a common denominator in ethnic, cultural or religious differences, brings home to everyone the sense of belonging to the human community, should accordingly, and for these purposes, ensure that the population as a whole has access to art.
2. Member States should encourage all activities designed to highlight the action of artists for cultural development, including in particular ‘activities carried out by the mass media and the educational system, and for the employment of leisure for cultural purposes.
3. Member States, recognizing the essential role of art in the life and development of the individual and of society, accordingly have a duty to protect, defend and assist artists and their freedom of creation. For this purpose, they should take all necessary steps to stimulate artistic creativity and the flowering of talent, in particular by adopting measures to secure greater freedom for artists, without which they cannot fulfill their mission, and to improve their status by acknowledging their right to enjoy the fruits of their work. Member States should endeavour by all appropriate means to secure increased participation by artists in decisions concerning the quality of life. By all means at their disposal, Member States should demonstrate and confirm that artistic activities have a part to play in the nations’ global development effort to build a juster and more humane society and to live together in circumstances of peace and spiritual enrichment.
4. Member States should ensure, through appropriate legislative means when necessary, that artists have the freedom and the right to establish trade unions and professional organizations of their choosing and to become members of such organizations, if they so wish, and should make it possible for organizations representing artists to participate in the formulation of cultural policies and employment policies, including the professional training of artists, and in the determination of artists’ conditions of work.
5. At all appropriate levels of national planning, in general, ‘and of planning in the cultural field, in particular, Member States should make arrangements, by close co-ordination of their policies relating to culture, education and employment among other things, to define a policy for providing assistance and material and moral support for artists and should ensure that public opinion is informed of the justification and the need for such a policy. To that end, education should place due emphasis on the encouragement of artistic awareness, so as to create a public capable of appreciating the work of the artist. Without prejudice to the rights that should be accorded to them under copyright legislation, including resale rights (droit de suite) when this is not part of copyright, and under neighboring rights legislation, artists should enjoy equitable conditions and their profession should be given the public consideration that it merits. Their conditions of work and of employment should be such as to provide opportunities for artists who so wish to devote themselves fully to their artistic activities.
6. Since freedom of expression and communication is the essential prerequisite for all artistic activities, Member States should see that artists are unequivocally accorded the protection provided for in this respect by international and national legislation concerning human rights.
7. In view of the role of artistic activity and creation in the cultural and overall development of nations, Member States should create conditions enabling artists fully to participate, either individually or through their associations or trade unions, in the life of the communities in which they practice their art. They should associate them in the formulation of local and national cultural policies, thus stressing their important contribution in their own society as well as towards world progress in general.
8. Member States should ensure that all individuals, irrespective of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic status or birth, have the same opportunities to acquire and develop the skills necessary for the complete development and exercise of their artistic talents, to obtain employment, and to exercise their profession without discrimination.
Another lengthy by interesting post. Especially the words “This UNESCO recommendation within the draft CI National Culture and Heritage Policy and Plan”. Apparently things are moving along faster than the article indicates on the surface. Again, as a supporter of the arts I agree Cayman should have a policy, and most certainly a significant effort to educate the general public on the importance of the arts to our society. However I would suggest a period of education, significant promotion of the art of Cayman in a big way, and then implementation of programs to provide for public/private support of the arts through purchase and display of the art of Cayman in a very public way.
However, why not hire the struggling artists as teacher etc. Create a centre where artists can work to save your cultural legacy, but also work on their art.
Is it only those artists who represent traditional Caymanian culture, and are from Caymanian families who get help?
Would an English artist, with no Caymanian cultural ties, who has status, be able to get the financial assistance. Right now we, as a government/country, don’t even have a handle on what it means to be Caymanian.
I also am very perturbed that we seek to put programs in this like place, while not doing much to improve education….a key foundation to success no matter the job choice later.