I_play_trombone_AMA

Hey, not sure if you’ll see this, but I have a question as someone who also works in the arts.

In the orchestra world we are reliant upon the largesse of big donors, much like in the museum world. Orchestra musicians love to complain that it seems like big donors would always rather give money to “stuff” over “people”. I.E. they see the benefit of giving money to build a building, or to preserve some artwork.

But they don’t always see the benefit of supporting the people who make these wonderful artworks possible. They think people who work in the arts, like you, or like me (a musician) can always be on the chopping block, and can deal with a salary cut, but they don’t balk at the price to preserve a piece of art or to build a new gallery at the museum.

Did you ever run into anything like that in the museum world? Did you ever feel less valued as a person than a piece of inanimate art? I’m curious if this is a “musician” thing, or if it’s something that everyone who works for an arts nonprofit experiences in common.

Thanks, I appreciate the reply. Very interesting to learn about your job and your perspectives. Congrats on the book!