We're Absolutely NOT Competitive Here!
I don't know about you,
but I am certainly convinced
by sudden and growling vehement denials
in response to [what I think is] a very benign statement.
Aren't you?
For the last two years I've been a live music booker for a PBS station,
and before that I was more like an arts scene promoter.
I've been wanting to expand into dance because it seems overlooked,
and although I've made a few in-roads with a handful of private dance instructors
but recently I had a good excuse to hit up the local colleges,
(there are 3 universities in town)
and introduce myself to their dance faculty
to ask about how to best highlight and build professional opportunities
for dancers and choreographers.
I was warned, once by a dancer
that the local dance world was "cutthroat"
and there is a lot of favoritism
among cliques
and social in-fighting between cliques.
Regionally,
we are rather well known for our other arts communities
(writing, poetry, music, and visual arts)
to be/feel HIGHLY collaborative and supportive
even to new faces/voices/talent.
Speaking with the head of the dance/theater faculty
at a fairly prestigious private university,
I believe I see some of the rough edges
around those potentially cut throats.
I've only been at my job for two and a half years,
but this was the first time where I was put on the defensive about my goal
"[...] wanting to learn more about the local and regional scene around [your specific artform]
and build up local audience support for that artform through collaborative community and even broadcast opportunities."
About how I "would like to consider and foster ways to develop new professional opportunities for artists in this field."
She made herself crystal clear.
She had built the whole dance program at the university, from nothing.
That she already DOES promote and showcase dancers and choreographers.
That I simply don't understand what is already being done,
and my current state of ignorance about the programs she personally runs,
or her friends personally run
is obviously a sign that I am out of my depth
and incapable of handling
ANYTHING having to do about/around/with dance in this city.
She smiled as spoke,
using high tones
and sharpened eyes.
I smiled back and happily conceded my embarrassing ignorance,
and that I was hoping to close this knowledge gap.
I complimented her,
saying that was why I was hoping she'd be a good resource
to help me understand the local scene
and the specific needs/problems in the world of professional dance
especially as compared to other performing arts
and the availability of new local opportunities for her and her students.
She was not mollified,
listing the fact that she *already* organizes 12 shows a year with/for her students
(doing non-professional, non-paid, non-advertised dancing).
I again complimented her hard work and changed tactics.
Musing aloud I talked about the competitive nature of paid performance,
where I am most familiar with the trials of live music/bands
and how highlighting what's happening
and adding new/more opportunities seems like
a great way to ensure opportunities for everyone,
including dancers but also for their audiences.
Especially opportunities to collaborate with other artists
like writers, singers, musicians, or videographers to multi-media effect.
Her words became clipped.
"I disagree.
We are absolutely NOT competitive or combative, here.
We already *ARE* collaborative."
I stumbled.
Confused how she's taking me so sideways.
"Competitive, meaning there may be more people with the skills
than there are opportunities to apply those skills professionally.
Sorry for the misunderstanding."
"Sure. Whatever." she huffed impatiently.
Clearly it didn't matter what I said anymore.
In the end, she said she would sent off an introduction email
between me and the rest of her department faculty
(two people)
and asked if there was anything else I needed.
I profusely thanked her and was happy to log off.
But now, I'm just sitting here wondering....
I understand a sense of frustration with spending all your time
on something you care about
only to find out
that even other people who WANT to know about it,
don't already know about it.
Or a simmering anger like you have been overlooked,
or a feeling like someone might be 'horning in'.
Sure.
But there is something deeper in the twist of her words
as she staked out her domain,
and roped off the conversation.
It's shocking to me when creative people seem openly
dismissive/defensive/aggressive
about the very idea
that other people
may have ideas,
...too.
It caught me by surprise.
It generally does.
but I am certainly convinced
by sudden and growling vehement denials
in response to [what I think is] a very benign statement.
Aren't you?
For the last two years I've been a live music booker for a PBS station,
and before that I was more like an arts scene promoter.
I've been wanting to expand into dance because it seems overlooked,
and although I've made a few in-roads with a handful of private dance instructors
but recently I had a good excuse to hit up the local colleges,
(there are 3 universities in town)
and introduce myself to their dance faculty
to ask about how to best highlight and build professional opportunities
for dancers and choreographers.
I was warned, once by a dancer
that the local dance world was "cutthroat"
and there is a lot of favoritism
among cliques
and social in-fighting between cliques.
Regionally,
we are rather well known for our other arts communities
(writing, poetry, music, and visual arts)
to be/feel HIGHLY collaborative and supportive
even to new faces/voices/talent.
Speaking with the head of the dance/theater faculty
at a fairly prestigious private university,
I believe I see some of the rough edges
around those potentially cut throats.
I've only been at my job for two and a half years,
but this was the first time where I was put on the defensive about my goal
"[...] wanting to learn more about the local and regional scene around [your specific artform]
and build up local audience support for that artform through collaborative community and even broadcast opportunities."
About how I "would like to consider and foster ways to develop new professional opportunities for artists in this field."
She made herself crystal clear.
She had built the whole dance program at the university, from nothing.
That she already DOES promote and showcase dancers and choreographers.
That I simply don't understand what is already being done,
and my current state of ignorance about the programs she personally runs,
or her friends personally run
is obviously a sign that I am out of my depth
and incapable of handling
ANYTHING having to do about/around/with dance in this city.
She smiled as spoke,
using high tones
and sharpened eyes.
I smiled back and happily conceded my embarrassing ignorance,
and that I was hoping to close this knowledge gap.
I complimented her,
saying that was why I was hoping she'd be a good resource
to help me understand the local scene
and the specific needs/problems in the world of professional dance
especially as compared to other performing arts
and the availability of new local opportunities for her and her students.
She was not mollified,
listing the fact that she *already* organizes 12 shows a year with/for her students
(doing non-professional, non-paid, non-advertised dancing).
I again complimented her hard work and changed tactics.
Musing aloud I talked about the competitive nature of paid performance,
where I am most familiar with the trials of live music/bands
and how highlighting what's happening
and adding new/more opportunities seems like
a great way to ensure opportunities for everyone,
including dancers but also for their audiences.
Especially opportunities to collaborate with other artists
like writers, singers, musicians, or videographers to multi-media effect.
Her words became clipped.
"I disagree.
We are absolutely NOT competitive or combative, here.
We already *ARE* collaborative."
I stumbled.
Confused how she's taking me so sideways.
"Competitive, meaning there may be more people with the skills
than there are opportunities to apply those skills professionally.
Sorry for the misunderstanding."
"Sure. Whatever." she huffed impatiently.
Clearly it didn't matter what I said anymore.
In the end, she said she would sent off an introduction email
between me and the rest of her department faculty
(two people)
and asked if there was anything else I needed.
I profusely thanked her and was happy to log off.
But now, I'm just sitting here wondering....
I understand a sense of frustration with spending all your time
on something you care about
only to find out
that even other people who WANT to know about it,
don't already know about it.
Or a simmering anger like you have been overlooked,
or a feeling like someone might be 'horning in'.
Sure.
But there is something deeper in the twist of her words
as she staked out her domain,
and roped off the conversation.
It's shocking to me when creative people seem openly
dismissive/defensive/aggressive
about the very idea
that other people
may have ideas,
...too.
It caught me by surprise.
It generally does.