As far as economy is concerned, or when doing business, it is your aim to generate money. Not only to cover your expenses of course, but, ideally, to make some profit too. Whether you will buy yourself a bottle of Champagne from this profit, or invest in your business is then up to you. In other words, people will regard you being a good treasurer, if at the end of the day, more money is remaining. In some cases, thrifty bookkeepers start making it their goal in life, to cut on costs as much as possible.
In earlier discussions - and when discussing art management professionally with clients - I highlight the notion, that cost allocation within cultural projects with very limited resources (or rather; no money available) is perhaps indeed a very day-to-day challenge, but most of all which should never allow us to become defeatist. Many musicians, however, are.
A couple of days ago, while driving home, a spokesman of an ambulance service was complaining about so many drownings happening over the summer-holidays. As the main reason, he mentioned the fact, that due to financial constraints, elementary schools had to cancel compulsory swimming lessons (as a part of physical exercise class). Politicians, who pursue very short-term vision, and keep on wrongly allocating the necessary funds, end up with a long-term problem for the community. Unfortunately, this example is of a very tragic kind.
In a country, that has one of the highest economic growths in the EU, such a financial short-cutting on the very basic thing like schools, is inexcusable! The truth is, that a lot of money is wasted on useless activities, or in the worst case; disappearing in someone's pocket.
The same happens to culture as well; Yes, you get little money, yes it has been like this for years. No, you should not accept this as being just a "reality". While in some countries, writers with a certain sense of social responsibility, appeal to politicians, why should not musicians be equally active to hold a mirror in front of society (and their leaders)? This is not just about saving money anymore - this is about drowning culture; drowning your job. Rescue it, while you still can!
MS
In earlier discussions - and when discussing art management professionally with clients - I highlight the notion, that cost allocation within cultural projects with very limited resources (or rather; no money available) is perhaps indeed a very day-to-day challenge, but most of all which should never allow us to become defeatist. Many musicians, however, are.
A couple of days ago, while driving home, a spokesman of an ambulance service was complaining about so many drownings happening over the summer-holidays. As the main reason, he mentioned the fact, that due to financial constraints, elementary schools had to cancel compulsory swimming lessons (as a part of physical exercise class). Politicians, who pursue very short-term vision, and keep on wrongly allocating the necessary funds, end up with a long-term problem for the community. Unfortunately, this example is of a very tragic kind.
In a country, that has one of the highest economic growths in the EU, such a financial short-cutting on the very basic thing like schools, is inexcusable! The truth is, that a lot of money is wasted on useless activities, or in the worst case; disappearing in someone's pocket.
The same happens to culture as well; Yes, you get little money, yes it has been like this for years. No, you should not accept this as being just a "reality". While in some countries, writers with a certain sense of social responsibility, appeal to politicians, why should not musicians be equally active to hold a mirror in front of society (and their leaders)? This is not just about saving money anymore - this is about drowning culture; drowning your job. Rescue it, while you still can!
MS
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