Are big expectations killing big dreams?

In 2021, the average cost of rent per household was $491 each week, up $30 from the previous year. Throw in the cost of internet, electricity, then the extortionate cost of food (we’re talking $9 for a single cauliflower), the even more extortionate cost of petrol, and then every other expense that daily life demands.  

Now imagine you want to be an oil painter. Or a potter. Or a novelist. Or even a photographer. Starting out at any new job is difficult, but imagine doing it with no guarantee that you will make an income, and no proper support network to pick you up if you stumble.  

Of course, there will always be some people in the background shouting,  

“Just follow your dreams!”                                                “Don’t let money stop you!”  

                                        “If you really want it, go for it!” 

Perhaps you are one of those people, and in which case, on behalf of all aspiring artists, I would like to ask “but how!?”  

A census published by UNESCO in February 2022 reported that cultural and creative industries accounted for only 6.2 per cent of global employment, and of this 6.2 per cent, less than a quarter are self-employed.  

“My dream is to be an artist and make a living selling my acrylic paintings, which is why I’m studying art. I sell a few paintings on occasion but it’s nowhere near enough to make a living. If it weren’t for StudyLink I’d definitely be working in a café or something,” says BA student Sarah Rowland.  

CMP student and political activist, Campbell Semmens, says, “With the current state of wealth distribution in New Zealand, the vast majority of people lose any sort of freedom to pursue their genuine interests.”  

“When you have to work 40+ hours a week just to have a roof over your head and food on the table, you’ll never have the time or energy to create culture shifting art or bring your creative passions to life.”  

The notoriously precarious nature of our market means that even the majority of people that succeed as self-employed creators still face immense pressures.  

Self-employed photographer and 2021 Massey graduate, Jack Warren, says, “After graduation, I went back to my home town of Hawke’s Bay to work as a full-time commercial freelance photographer. Thankfully, I am living from home rent-free and have been able to kick-start my career.”   

“Even now that I’m getting consistent clients and good pay for my work, the thought of moving somewhere and supporting myself by having to pay rent is extremely daunting for me. The fact landlords like proof of a weekly income innately screws with the idea of freelancing, and pushes people towards the homogeneous jobs that enslave us all.”  

However, the road isn’t all doom and gloom for aspiring artists. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that you can’t succeed in a self-sustainable creative job if you have the right amount of passion, drive, determination and consistency. Although the statistics for succeeding are dim, who says you can’t be a part of that minute fraction that does?  

Additionally, there are government grants and funding that get released each year to selected groups and individuals to help with community arts projects. To find out if you or your creative group are eligible for this funding, you can head to creativenz.govt.nz, or your local council website for more information.