$napshots from the installation
I’m wrapping up 2024 with a bang, the debut of Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project, which opened last month at the University of Michigan.
It’s time for my annual — "how is this year already coming to an end?"
I’m grateful to wrap up 2024 with a bang, the debut of Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project, which opened last month at the University of Michigan.
The installation is a manifestation of work, both journalism work and deep internal work that began when I was a fellow at the Wallace House and Center for Racial Justice at the University of Michigan in 2022. I spent much of my time in these fellowships thinking about how to show up more authentically — combining what I then considered disparate parts of myself, the writer and the dancer, together.
It was such an incredible feeling to see this vision come to life. To see the stories artists shared with me spring from the page onto the walls at the university’s business school. The installation is in a study space on campus and it was also cool to see students absorbing the work unintentionally.
About 90 people showed up for the opening, which was a lovely surprise. Most importantly, I heard from artists that the installation resonated deeply and helped them feel less alone in the struggles they’ve faced to make a living from their work.
In show, don't tell fashion, here are some photos from the installation:
I also made this TikTok walking through the installation space.
@theartrebellion Here’s a look at the Artist Pay Project installation! Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project pulls from 30+ interviews with artists around the country about just how hard it is to make a living in the US. Read the full interviews at theartrebellion.net #artistsoftiktok #artiststruggles #journalism
♬ Storytelling - Adriel
There is so much more that I plan on sharing over the next couple months. Stay tuned 😊.
Acknowledgements
This isn't just my work, a team of creative and talented people came together to make the installation happen:
Making It: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project would not be possible without a community of support. We would like to thank collaborators, the University of Michigan Arts Initiative, DUO Fine Art Services, and Ross Impact Studio. The exhibition team, Kathryn Grabowski-Khairullah, Jon Geiger, Carina Tort Ortiz, Cat Johnson. Artist Pay Project supporters including the Wallace House and Ford Center for Racial Justice. Contributors to the installation including photographers Sylvia Jarrus, Rubini Naidu, and Casual Science. Video editor Thane Montgomery. Organizations included in the Pay Us! video: the art rebellion, Asura Creative, Art Ain’t Innocent, More Perfect Union, Salary Transparent Street, and others. And a special thank you to all the artists from across the U.S. who participated in the Artist Pay Project.
What's next?
My dream is to expand the project and install the work in other spaces around the country. I'm currently continuing my reporting with Chicago-based artists, and next year, I plan to release an Artist Pay Project zine. If you have any ideas for potential partners or opportunities to share the work with new audiences, please let me know!
In working on the Artist Pay Project, I’ve realized the artist struggle is also my struggle as a freelance journalist and creative. As much as I love and feel dedicated to this work, I’ve been thinking deeply about sustainability and burnout.
My goal is to find ways to fund the art rebellion (that are not just sporadic small grants) so that I’m able to pay myself for the work that goes into it. This year has been tough for me, and I have to make some difficult financial choices. These are the same type of negotiations the artists I’ve interviewed have to make — when to pursue their craft and when to take a step back.
With that, I plan on slowing down on all things art rebellion for a bit. So if you don't hear from me for a while, I'm still here, just embodying a snail's pace until things stabilize.
Further reading on Making It
It's been an odd, but good feeling being interviewed about my work instead of being the person with the recorder and notebook on the other end. Check out some coverage on the installation:
- Student newspaper, the Michigan Daily, covered the exhibit
- The communications team at the university's policy school interviewed me about the project
- The university's Arts Initiative also featured the installation
- As part of this work, I compiled a list of resources focused on fair pay. Please spend some time with the guide, share it with friends, and let me know if there are any other resources worth adding!
Makeda Easter
As always, thank you so much for supporting my work. It means the world to me. I hope you all have a peaceful and restful final few weeks of 2024.
Please consider sharing this work with a friend and following this work on Instagram and TikTok.
Happy holidays and see y’all in 2025! ✨