The sorrowful plight of serious artists in his country not being able to make a decent living from their chosen life’s work is a function of community values. The transcendent value of the creative arts is rarely recognized or appreciated by people in general. Therefore, I nominate Rodney Dangerfield as the Patron Saint of Artists. Just like Rodney, artists get no respect, no respect at all. Ok. So the under informed public do not appreciate the artists in their midst, but what about museums?
Are not art museums that exist to display and protect the most valued art work evidence of a high level of respect for the artists that produced these cultural treasures? Isn’t this the loftiest form of respect? In a way, yes, but treasuring works of art is not the same as respecting the artists themselves. How many artists do you think are on the boards of major art museums? Virtually none! Probably a few artists that have attained a certain level of celebrity and material success sit on boards as figureheads. Museums today are big businesses and need boards with savvy business leaders for guidance and wealthy patrons to make and solicit substantial donations. Sure, but financial considerations are only one aspect of museum operations. What about artistic policy? The board selects the director and oversees decisions regarding curators, acquisitions and other matters calling for aesthetic value judgements. Surely there is room on these boards for a few practicing artists whose input would be invaluable. If artists were truly respected members of society they would be appointed to boards of all sorts of cultural and social institutions.
Poor Rodney, If he were alive today and knew he was being beatified, he would turn over in his grave.
