Should We Cheerlead the Local Arts?

Which statement is true:

1) The more I move through the art world in Missoula, the more I become excited. So many up-and-coming artists are committed to their unique process, and their work continues to develop. Not only do I see new styles and new ideas, but I see new interpretations of familiar themes, to my surprise and delight.

2) The more I move through the art world in Missoula, the more I become jaded: The lauding of certain genres/artists at the myopic exclusion of others, the emphasis on home décor above meaning, the biting competition for table scraps, the huge blur between artisan and artist, and the way that none of this is questioned, but rather blithely encouraged, is a kick in my morale.

For me, both of these statements are true, and oddly, each statement can cause raised eyebrows depending on who I am talking to. Either I am supposed to be 100% outsider/counterculture and complain about all things Pirnie, Dolak , or Hugo, even if I find beauty there, or I am supposed to be 100% supportive of all things Missoula Fine Art, even if I find questionable things within it . As I straddle both of these worlds wondering how they're much different anyways, I risk making everyone mad. Yet an impulse to comment upon the inevitable tensions that arise around art and artists keeps bubbling to the surface of my life.

Upsetting people hasn’t been my wish. Let me illustrate with a tangent: I was recently at a dinner with a some artists, performers, and event organizers, and heard someone say to an out-of-towner that the arts scene here is well attended, but rather lackluster. Heads around the dinner table nodded in mild disdain. It seems like Missoula Loves an Event, but they don’t much care what exactly happens there, as long as there’s beer. (This is a generalization. But there's enough truth in it for me to use it. )

My wish, therefore, is for luster! Part of what makes the arts exciting is where and how they impact us, what we extract from an art experience , and what happens to culture as a result of its arts. I’ve been in other situations with talented, vibrant people, who express their wish for better arts criticism here. They crave more of a challenge, more discussion and interplay between artists. I think everyone is waiting for someone else to start openly talking about it, but nobody wants to be “the controversial one, ”only to inadvertently divide the groups and support systems inherent to any Arts existence.

The challenge is this: discuss the biases in a way that opens a dialogue instead of shutting one out. Our opinions can be viewed as the beginning of a thread. One person picks up where the other left off, and the confluence results in a broader outcome than when thought occurs in isolation. You know, like weaving a tapestry. The challenge is to remain in a discussion with a goal other than hearing your own blather.

I think there's hope. We have to push our limitations, though. Our media and arts organizations are constrained in the role of Cheerleaders. We've been following along, dutifully hunting down wine at First Fridays, and charitably partying it up at every Festival Fest. But we can do more. If a diverse enough number of us can figure out how to openly agree , disagree, and supportively banter about the arts in Missoula, and start responding to each other in a critical and artistic manner, we might be able to push through to something new. Art can keep being a fun way to stimulate the tourist economy, music can keep being a great addition to local events. I admit that art prints, postcards, and coffee cups are the only way less wealthy folks can purchase art and hence support artists. Can we talk about the negative impact of the dollar on art while advocating that artists earn a living?

The current role the arts play in Missoula is not threatened if more space is created for reflection and criticism. The emphasis can be more self-aware, and less sales-driven, while still understanding that artists deserve to make money. With vibrant discussion and interesting challenges, the artists will have their spirits fed as well as their bellies filled, and this can only mean more art.