I couldn’t be more excited by the updates from Stephanie noting the record breaking success of this blog event—as well as the onslaught of Facebook friend requests I’ve been receiving from so many of you. However, another curious thing has been happening in my inbox this week. While the conversation rages on out here in the public blogosphere, I’ve received a couple of emails from emerging arts leaders saying they’d love to participate in this online discussion, but due to internal politics at their organizations—they have to remain in the proverbial closet.
Given the progress we’ve made through forums like this and all of the hullabaloo 20UNDER40 has caused, it saddens me to think that there are still young arts professionals out there who have opinions to express and stories to share—but must maintain their silence literally for fear of losing their jobs. Even worse is the idea that there are people in authority positions who may be trolling this blog right now, making sure their subordinates remain silent—remain subordinate.
The insecurity exercised in this field (though not entirely omnipresent) is oppressive. As tomorrow’s leaders (young and old) begin to reinvent the arts for the future, I’d like to offer a suggestion: that our industry’s inherent lack of confidence and fear-based business models be placed on top of the list of things that must change.
It’s frustrating to think that individuals in this field – young or old – hesitate to speak their mind and share their experience for fear of a repercussion as serious as a pink slip. What kind of community does that foster? It doesn’t.
I suppose I’m lucky because I feel safe and supported to speak my mind, during this event and elsewhere. I’m not sure how interested I would be in working for an institution or boss that struck fear into my heart because I wanted to speak out. I would say the arts industry has a reputation as reasonably liberal, it’s ok to have a tattoo, be gay, artsy, the other, etc. We encourage our constituents and participants everyday to express themselves and build community through the arts. It’s how we learn about one another and learn to think outside the box. How might those stifled ideas and insights change the world? I hope this dialogue really does begin to break down those barriers and open valuable lines of communication. Young/emerging professional need to remember this lesson and remain open to ALL views as we become leaders.
Thanks for the comment Erin. Indeed we do work in a liberal field. Sure, you can have a tattoo, be gay, artsy, or the other—but none of those things threaten anyone else’s authority. Those in power who suppress their subordinates into silence need to see emerging leaders as untapped talent—latent opportunities, not as threats to their own stability. This doesn’t describe everyone, of course, but it does explain the slice of our population that have perpetuated the need for this conversation.