Trusting artists to do their thing

CAMP on Tour | Exeter Phoenix | Sunday 17 September 2023

Last Sunday, it was my great honour to co-present an artists' 'speed dating' (ie networking) event at Exeter Phoenix with Frankie Williams, on behalf of the CAMP membership. 

CAMP is a member-led support and professional development network for artists, arts producers, arts curators and arts writers in Devon and Cornwall. CAMP raises funds then uses them to meet the needs artists and arts professionals have identified for themselves, whether that's for residencies, research time, exhibiting opportunities, networking, professional development, skill sharing, self-care...whatever. There are some overheads to be met, but a large proportion of what CAMP raises is redistributed to artists to spend in self-organised activities. It guides and advises, sets some parameters and expectations, but basically CAMP trusts artists to know how best to deliver for artists (and their audiences).  And the results are often richer, deeper, more unexpected, more fun... and more efficient. Resourcefulness and creativity are, after all, what we're known for.

I don't want to suggest traditional arts organisations such as NPOs are the bad guys here but, too often, they are asked to deliver 'development' for artists when they'd rather be doing (in fact are designed for) other things. Large arts organisations are a vital part of the arts ecology, but top-down management of artist opportunities is a sponge that can soak up almost infinite amounts of time, energy and resources - if we let it. Arts management needs to be kept in check, both by those who do it as a job it and the artists who rely on it.  A little self-sufficiency goes a long way.