Artists get the applause, awards and attention but anyone who works in the arts knows the steadiest job in an arts organisation is the person who balances the books.
It’s a relationship fraught with potential tension. Artists whose incomes are erratic see managers who enjoy permanent positions, superannuation and, sometimes, perks such as paid travel to arts conferences and free professional development training. Administrators who hold a successful artist’s career together are paid peanuts by successful artists who expect the glory of association to be enough. Artists resent funding meant for the creation of work being absorbed by the nuts and bolts workers who are writing the next grant application. Managers trying to keep the doors open are frustrated by artists with big ideas and a sense of entitlement.
