The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

January 1, 2018

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The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice

The potential for positivity, hope, change, and appreciation.

Do you feel the dichotomy? Many artists come from an upbringing of extensive support and opportunity – with training, classes, private lessons, workshops, mentors, supplies, and equipment. Many go onto colleges, conservatories, and masters programs. Yet, as artists in the U.S. today, many of us live with modest incomes to support our families and to keep making our work. Many times – we can end up feeling bitter, resentful, and negative.

Would a weekly gratitude practice inspire and promote personal change, hope, and contentment?

Whether you consider each weekly idea while on the subway commuting to work – or you decide to write in a personal journal – please join us on this journey in 2018. The 52 ideas were brainstormed and then placed in a random order. Thank you to colleagues Valerie Gutwirth, Juliana Monin, and Brian Smith for help launching this project.

Each week, one idea/intention/consideration will be shared.

Here we go……

Week 1: Artists

Today, I offer gratitude for:

Artists who work for me

Today I pause to honor and remember all of the artists who helped make my ideas come to fruition. Who collaborated, assisted, co-created, and inspired? Who was my muse? Who performed the work, edited the work, and offered another set of hands?

If you are a solo artist….can today be a day to honor people within your circle who work administratively to support your projects with marketing, public relations, social media, graphic design, ticket sales, and representing your work? Plus your mentor…..

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5 responses to “The 2018 Artists’ Gratitude Project: A Weekly Practice”

Joan Lazarus

Jan 1, 2018 at 9:17 am

Love this. Thank you for offering it up to begin this new annual cycle. Adding to the artists who work with/for me . . . These are also the artists who INSPIRE me. Thank you!

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Sarah-Lu Baker

Jan 1, 2018 at 10:41 pm

Eternally grateful for all of the muses who have worked with me and who will! Lessons, relationships, and inspiration. Thank you Jill!

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Krystal

Jan 3, 2018 at 4:41 am

Today I give gratitude for Alvin Alley Dance Theater who inspired me as a child. To see Black artist create on that level opened my young heart and mind to the possiblities that awaited me. In this past year I continue to fill my cup with all manor of art consumption and I am grateful for every experience. Thank you to the artists that never give up and thank you to those who pockets are full enough to support the arts. Books, plays, operas, art exhibits, public art and music (live and recorded). I am beyond blessed to have this buffet of art at my fingertips.

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Elizebeth Randall Rains

Jan 3, 2018 at 7:43 pm

I am so grateful to all of my students at Saint Mary’s College who so willingly dive into my choreography every semester in classes, rehearsals, and performances. It is such a special gift to be able to consistently create with such talented, thoughtful, and inspiring dancers. They teach me so much and make my job absolutely joyful!

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Claire Calalo

Jan 3, 2018 at 8:31 pm

I am so grateful everyday for the collaborators who make dance with me, breathe life into the ideas I offer up, and inspire new directions of our collective work! Thank you for this opportunity to deeply consider them and how to express my gratitude to them!

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