I. Cultivate A Unique Artistic Identity
Every artist goes on a unique journey as they develop their authentic artistic voice. This is neither easy, nor is it straightforward – but it is possible!.. Along the way, it’s important to grow comfortable talking about your unique artistic identity. This, too, takes time.
Below, I have outlined three essential elements to consider as you think about, and develop, an artistic identity. I have also included excerpts from interviews with industry professionals, who discuss their artistic identities. Their diverse approaches may help you as you shape yours!
Three factors to consider as you work to identify and further develop a unique artistic voice: story, values, style
Story:
- What is your background and personal experiences?
- Where and when were you born?
- Who and what influenced you most as you grew up?
- Is there any connection between your background, personal experiences, and your artistic interest?
Values:
- How do you respond to circumstances in your life?
- What is important to you?
- What do you care about?
- What do you want to communicate?
Style:
- How do you wish to communicate?
- How do you reflect your background, story and values in your artistic work?
Interviews
I invite you to watch a short excerpt from an interview with Dr. Catherine Moore, Adjunct Professor of Music Technology & Digital Media at the University of Toronto. She talks about how musicians usually feel uncomfortable talking about themselves and their skill sets. She says: "[ when musicians] are asked to produce ‘marketing or promotional materials,’ they tend to write very unemotionally, generically, and without animation. So what I sometimes say is, they use the same twenty words that everybody else uses."
To learn more about Dr. Moore, please visit: https://music.utoronto.ca/our-people.php?fid=336
Example I
In this interview with musician and audiovisual technologist, Adrian Berry, they discuss their creative practice and artistic identity.
To learn more about Adrian Berry, please visit: https://adrianberry.club/info
Example II
Here is another approach to identify and develop an artistic voice. This excerpt is from an interview with Dr. Stacy Garrop, a full-time freelance composer living in the Chicago area.
To learn more about Dr. Stacy Garrop and her work, please visit: https://www.garrop.com/
Resources:
For more information about how to identify and develop a unique artistic identity, I highly recommend you to visit Elevate the Artist website:
https://www.elevatetheartist.com/
Sam Brinson Blog: https://www.sambrinson.com/creative-identity/
DJ TechTools: https://djtechtools.com/2016/05/23/finding-unique-artist-identity/
ArtWork: https://www.artworkarchive.com/blog/creating-a-strong-artist-identity-h…
II. Community Engagement
Community is a group of people sharing common experience, interest, characteristic, or geographic region.
Are you interested in getting involved in community engagement activities?
Would you like to know where and how to get started?
The following interviews will give you ideas about where to start and how to get involved.
After listening to the interviews, try to answer the following questions:
1. What communities am I part of? What communities am I interested in being part of or working with?
2. What do I have to offer?
3. Are there any model of collaboration similar to what I'd like to do that I can get ideas from?
4. Do my own community members have a clear idea about what I am planning to do and the labour needs to be undertaken for the possible collaboration?
Interviews
Tom Clowes, Executive Director of Crossing Boarders Music
"Founder Tom Clowes has been teaching cello and Western-style music in Haitian summer music camps since 2000. Over the years, he fell in love with Haiti’s strong communities, proud history, and beautiful culture and arts. He learned of Haiti’s centuries-old Western classical music tradition, in which Haitian composers aimed to show the world that Haitians were just as capable and cultivated as any European, and that Haitian culture was just as worthy and dignified." https://crossingbordersmusic.org/about-us/our-story/
Andrew James Clark is "a Canadian composer currently residing in Toronto. He is the founder of Classical Context, the President of the Canadian Composers Orchestra, and the Music Director of Heron Park Baptist Church." http://www.andrewjamesclark.ca/
Further Resources:
What is Community Engagement? Click here
What is Community Engagement and Why is it Important? Click here