23.04.2010
Culture Life
presented by Suzuki, the specialist for small cars.
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Art | Kickstarter | Patronage
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presented by Suzuki, the specialist for small cars.
Centuries ago, patronage referred to the act of kings or important figures like the Pope sponsoring artists or musicians for the creation of their art. Now, we all can be patrons, with small money but without inauguration.
For extended periods of time in some countries, patronage was the only way art or music was consistently created and often its focus was religious or sacred subjects. Patrons usually retained those works of art in their own private collections as their property. Hundreds of years later, the sheer amount of individuals who create art or music and make their living at doing it has increased steadily. The diversity and types of art being created has also grown, allowing more people to feel that “their” type of art is being created and can be enjoyed.
The answer to “What is art?” has never been harder or easier to answer. It is everything, it is nothing.
At the same time, it’s equally easier and more difficult for artists to find patronage for a project and to find an audience to enjoy what they are creating. Patronage has extended to include wealthy individuals and corporations, and with the Internet the shift has gone even further to include individuals of many social statuses with a desire to support the arts.
Patronage no longer has to be the direct ownership of art but also the participation and sustaining of its creation.
Enter sites like www.Kickstarter.com in the new age of patronage – taking artists and their projects directly to the public and hopeful patrons.
Through Kickstarter, artists solicit financial supporters with the promise of specific rewards that go above and beyond the actual creation of the work of art (like a music album or documentary film). Small contributions to the project are rewarded by the project owners in the form that they so chose. In some cases patrons have direct input on the project, influencing its design, direction, or outcome in exchange for financial support.
Another evolution in the age of patronage is what can be considered supporting the arts. It’s no longer only in the form of millions of dollars for a single painting or a new museum wing. Now someone can contribute any amount to an artist’s success. $1, $50, $500 – it’s up to the supporter to decide how much they want to contribute and it’s up to the artist to decide how they will reward the contributions other than the creation of the work of art itself.
Being closer to art has never been easier.
How do you make a small contribution towards the arts?
For more information about Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com
photo by tolokonov
| Milano, 11. January 2010 |
Sara Rosso |
Art | Kickstarter | Patronage
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