Gaga Gala...

Last night I volunteered for a fancy schmancy fundraiser for an arts organization in town. As much as I enjoy a fun gala I have to admit events like this are the things that make me question the future of the arts...

A whole bunch of people living in the clouds with their mountains of money... mostly white, old and eccentric people. These people are the funding backbone of many arts organizations in the US. I should be thanking them for choosing to spend their money on the arts. I should be okay with the reality of kissing their butts as an accepted and expected activity - but I'm not.

It's just groups like that one that turn the arts into an event for the rich. It makes the work a status symbol and it leaves me with a gross feeling.

Art should be a fundamental form of expression for anyone who is interested...

Maybe just another psychological hurdle that I need to jump over and recognize as a fundamental truth. It would never be a realistic option for people to have careers as artists if it weren't for wealthy patrons. There is often an unfortunate attitude that goes along with the funding - and maybe it's worth ignoring... but I still don't have to like it.