Recession hitting 'cultural creatives' especially hard

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:30:00 -0500

While the recession seems to loosening its grip on the U.S. economy, but one group isn't seeing it. The cultural creatives, small businesspeople like photographers, architects and graphic designers have seen their ranks thinned by 20 to 30 percent and are still waiting for the bounce back.

Christine Williams

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:43:51 -0500

I heard the description of working artists as "self-absorbed parasites" it struck a chord in me. I work in the arts, and I think I do a lot or good for others. Yet I've had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right. This puts words to the problem.

When I had finished my elementary endorsement and was starting to look for a job in the system. My Adviser wrote a letter of reference. She said," I have to list creative as one of your qualities." I acknowledged this was true. Then she said, "You should know that the word 'creative' is a red-flag for school administrators. It signals someone who doesn't follow the rules."

It is so hard, earning a living a being a creative thinker. This is not a way of thinking that I can turn on and off. I am "hard-wired" as creative. This is not a choice.

PRI: Public Radio International

Recession hitting 'cultural creatives' especially hard

Christine Williams