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Topic: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Replies: 50 Pages: 4 Last Post: Oct 27, 2005 4:49 PM by: Ray Rolfe

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Replies: 50 Pages: 4 [ 1 2 3 4 \| Next ]

Colin Rusch

Posts: 1,435
Registered: Oct 16, 2002

1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 16, 2003 11:15 AM

What is a barebones estimate? A more comfortable estimate?

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 17, 2003 2:53 AM

I can only speak for myself.

1 year SURVIVAL
Barebones:
Clean Water, 1 gallon per day@ 0.99 = $365
Healthy Food, $3 a day for 365 days = $1095
Equipment and supplies, random guess $500
Gasoline, only for non-bikable trips = $100

TOTAL $2060

1 year THRIVEL
A more comfortable estimate:
Clean Water...............................................................$365
Healthy Food @ $10 a day......................................$3650
Laptop Computer for work and communication.$2000
Other supplies, equipment and media...................$1000
Entertainment / Learning alowance......................$1000
Solar Panel / Power Inverter combo for light, electric heat, electric cooking...............................................$1000
Change up or repair the RV....................................$3000
10% give away of "tithe".............................................$111

TOTAL $11,126

1 year ARIVAL
On top of my game

Clean Water, 1 for me, and 100 for chronically dehydrated homeless people.......$36,000
Healthy food, $25 a day ..................................... $9,125
Art Supplies...............................................................$1,000
New R.V ..............................................................$50,000
Land to park it on as I build my house............$50,000
Technology, (solar inverters, computers, vidcams, phone, ect).............................................................$5,000
Geodesic Dome with Botanical Garden...........$10,000
Secret Toy 1...........................................................$6,000
Secret Toy 2...........................................................$10,000
City accommodations @ $900 per month............$10,800
Travel and Study.....................................................$5,000
10% tithe.....................................................................$2000

TOTAL $194,925

Sam Spiczka

Posts: 1,671
From: Sartell, MN
Registered: Jul 20, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 17, 2003 7:55 PM

Now those are detailed estimates, Ray!

My first reaction is that it varies according to your discipline. I'm thinking mainly of studio/shop space and material expenses. Graphite on paper costs much less than Corten and marble.

That said, I think I put the number at $30,000. Or roughly what a young teacher makes. What a co-inky-dink! That happens to be what we're living on! But you can't drink, smoke, eat out, drink designer coffee or any number of smaller expenses that add up quickly.

Anyway, my two bits.

Sam

Lauren DeSteno

Posts: 1,520
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Oct 19, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 18, 2003 1:58 AM

How much do you think an artist needs to live on?

Simply (or perhaps simplistically) put, the same amount any other person needs to live on.

BTW, Ray, I really like the fact that you included giving in your estimates. The non-prof I work for is a big advocate of financial literacy, with a large component devoted to regular giving. I'm a fan of that idea, too - and although I have yet to make enough money (and regularly!) to start giving cash to causes, I donate my time regularly. That's also something I admire about you.

lauren

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 18, 2003 2:29 AM

Thanks

I find it works no matter how much money you have. Like one day I saw Pedro in Dinkytown (everyone knows Pedro don't they?) And he asked if I had any change..... I had like 15 cents so I gave him everything I had. I forgot how it worked out, but I noticed some unexpected effect later that day which I associated with the flow effect of giving.

Anyway, back to the question for others

How much do you think an artist needs to live on?

Colin Rusch

Posts: 1,435
Registered: Oct 16, 2002

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 18, 2003 11:31 PM

I tend to agree with Sam on this one. A modest living at $30,000/year would be great. At the same time, I think about the value of my contribution to society, my monetary compensation, and general income statistics. My monetary compensation doesn't come close to covering the value of my work. Nor does it fit into the income range in this country in a particularly satisfying manner. Of course, this is nothing new or unexpected. But, it points to the basic problem of our country's belief systems not valuing art and artists. OK, I am moving into question 6. More there soon.

Colin

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 19, 2003 12:11 AM

I agree with you Colin. As soon as Im a rich bastered, I will give you tons of money for all you have done here.

Gabriel Combs

Posts: 1,497
Registered: Jun 16, 2002

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 21, 2003 9:02 PM

I think that $20,000 a year is good. I think I could manage everything, including child expenses. However, this would include a health plan. And probably no car. If it were $25,000, I would be having a lot of luxuries, or be driving a car (i'm comparing bike to car, almost no $ vs. $ everyday). I could probably even go less, but I think this is more accurate for a healthier lifestlye.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 23, 2003 6:46 AM

Right now, by way of miracal, I need 2300 to "live on" or stay alive rather. I have come across an RV that is one step up from my current nightmare junker. I desire this new RV so profoundly. I have just been praying to find a way... $2300 is a great price, I just don't know if I'll find it in time.
This would alow me mobility again! And it's tight. Not drafty like my current RV. I could plug in an electric heater/ solar pannel combo and survive the winter alot better then I can now with gaping holes in my roof, no electricity, and no mobility. I don't want it to rain inside anymore. I don't want to be stuck in a cold hell this winter.
Please please please if a wealthy gentalman or lady is in a position to assist me, my gratitude would be undying Please contact me right away (homelessartist@ yahoo.com)
I would repay the loan of course. I just can't go to the bank being as unstable as I am. No stedy employment, but I WORK, I'm an artist. I expect pretty good things financialy for myself soon. The projects that Im involved in now will help me to do great things and make some good money in the comming year.. But right now I'm just looking at survival and this better quality RV would save my life. So $2300. Thats how much I need to stay alive on. Can anyone help? I'll paint for you forever!

Colin Rusch

Posts: 1,435
Registered: Oct 16, 2002

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 24, 2003 12:12 AM

> I agree with you Colin. As soon as Im a rich
> bastered, I will give you tons of money for all you
> have done here.

Hey Ray,

Thanks. I think I phrased my point poorly. I am not complaining about my compensation for working on mnartists.org. I was trying to make a point about all of us working in the arts being undervalued. It takes extraordinary skill sets and flexibility to make a life in the arts. I would like all of us to be compensated adequately for our talents and hard work, especially if it leads to a new RV.

Sorry for the confusion on this one.

Colin

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 24, 2003 12:43 AM

I got you Colin. Right on. Your lucidity quickens me. Your right about the skill set. And it's a good thing that we are working this valuation. I'll just keep the tons of money then. (J0kE)

Right now I have an unrelated dilemma. I was so involved in the topics that I didn't realize until now, my next post is post 1000! Where oh where will it be?

~Ray 999

dale snyder

Posts: 509
From: Lakewood Township, Duluth
Registered: Oct 21, 2002

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 24, 2003 7:15 PM

Ray, Doesn't your rv have a heater in it? Now is the time to buy a new one if you can. They're prolly trying to clear out their stock. I have one of those heaters that mount on a small lp tank (like for an ice house) you can have, but it's nasty after a while.

We live on about $30,000 a year too, with 2 growing(large) boys, and a relativily small house payment cause I built it myself, (unfinished of course), but it's the peri(frills) that kill me. Insurance is a big one that I hate. I whittle away at stuff trying to save a nickel and a length of pipe here and there, but one stop at the grocery store....

Message was edited by: dale snyder at Sep 24, 2003 7:15 PM

Frank Rawlings III

Posts: 18
Registered: Sep 29, 2003

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 30, 2003 10:00 AM

Three years ago, I used to get by quite modestly writing and performing cheap labor for about $8000.00/yr. But that was before I got hip to the area job statistics then. With
employment down to 4% I got the nerve to spin my easy information capacity and some basic typing into a 29K occupation, tracking medical records for FUMC. And I will say too, that there weren't any -Accidents!- while I worked there.

When I got a taste of what a normal middle income for a single person could be like; I developed some new expectations.

My personal weekly expenses would include-.

Food at home..................................$35
Food away from home...........................$20
Lunch at work (with the doctors)..............$30
Bottled water (that I could not only collect)..$2
Liquid inspiration at home....................$70
Liquid inspiration away from home.............$45
Rent.........................................$100
Clothes............... .........................$5
Laundry........................................$2
Telephones...... ...............................$7.50
Live shows.....................................$6
Music..........................................$6Movies.........................................$6
Electronics.................................. .$20
Swimming pools................................$10.50

For a Total of $365.00/week or roughly 18.4K/yr. After Taxes which does not leave much.

Only I have to say now, that I am intent on being a star with my guitars: So that I can divide my time between Minnesota, New Yore City, Vancouver B.C. (with Washington state), and the south of France: I can see that I am going to need like $80,000 a month to enjoy full airport immunity.

Frank Rawlings III

Posts: 18
Registered: Sep 29, 2003

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Sep 30, 2003 10:47 AM

Three years ago, I used to get by modestly writing and performing cheap labor for about $8000.00 per year. But that was before I got hip to the job statistics then. With unemployment at just 4% I got the nerve to spin my easy information capacity and some basic typing into a 29K occupation. Tracking medical records for FUMC. And I will say too, that as I know, there weren't any -Accidents!- when I worked there.

Once I got a taste of what a normal middle income could be like, I quickly aquired some better appetites. So that my personal weekly expenses came to include-.

Food at home................................$35
Food away from home.........................$20
Lunch at work (with the doctors)............$30
Liquid inspiration at home..................$70
Liquid inspiration away from home...........$45
Bottled water (that I couldn't just collect..$2
Clothes......................................$5
Movies........................... ............$6
Music........................................$6
Live shows...................................$6
Telephones...................................$7.50
Electronics.................................$20
Swimming pools..............................$10.50
Rent.......................................$100
Lau ndry......................................$2

For a Total of $365.00/week or roughly $18.4K in a year.
Which after taxes does not leave much.

Only now I have to say, that scinse I am intent on being a star, with my guitars: So that I will be able to divide my time between Minnesota, New York City, Vancouver B.C. (with Washington state), and the south of France; I am going to need like $80,000 a month to enjoy full airport immunity.

Louise Dengerud

Posts: 51
Registered: May 9, 2002

Re: 1. How much do you think an artist needs to live on?
Posted: Oct 1, 2003 2:06 PM

I have two children to support and large dog and a boyfriend that is writer, but not yet paid for writing.

So, all your figures are far too low. I currently earn a really good salary...but not from my art.

My art sales are currently just enough or less to cover supplies.

I need to earn from my art - an income that is above that standard income for a typical family - since the typical family earning 40,000 to 50,000 a year is not self employed. So, you have separate this out. There is the cost of running a business and those expenses - and art that is being sold is a business and then there is the wage that you pay yourself for running and owning this business.

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