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Financial insecurity for artists: A THREAD. We, as artists, deal with a lot of insecurity. But the one I think we talk about least is financial insecurity. I think it’s because many of us are not taught how to properly take care of ourselves while pursuing a career in the arts.
I think that getting good with money is important. It’s how we’re fed. It’s how we pay our basic bills. And if you are making art it helps to have a roof over your head & food in your belly. I think saving is important. Making a plan. Do you know what you cost every month?
Know what you cost. In the lean years, I knew exactly how much I cost. And I had a clear idea that I wanted to save to buy property one day. So, I started an excel spreadsheet. I put every bill in there. It taught me valuable lessons about what I did and did not need.
What that meant was if I wanted to take a class I couldn’t go out with my friends for dinner & drinks. If I wanted to have a home in my 40’s then it was going to be canned tuna and rice so I could put money aside every month. When I got my first big job, I saved my money.
I kept working. Many friends quit their waitress/hostess/retail jobs only to have to return to them a year later. Try not to be in a rush to get there. Try to make a plan so that not just your art gets better but also your means of taking care of yourself as an artist get better.
I remember I saved to take a class at Groundlings. I took it and passed. But I couldn’t afford then next class. I saved again & something happened with my car. And by the time I had enough to take the next class, it was over a year later and I had to start again. Do your best.
Places I've worked: Sea World, Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Houston's, Assistant to a lawyer, to a magazine salesperson, to an actor, to a director. I worked at a frozen yogurt shop. At ADP. Soooo many places before my first big job. It took time & I kept writing.
Be kind to yourself. Know that it takes time. But take care of yourself while you are getting there. Know what you cost. Know where you can cut costs. Feed & clothe & provide safe shelter to the artist that is you so that you can have the room you need to create. Good luck.
