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What income amount is at the 'starving artist' level in New York? Does anyone on these boards actually know people in that category? Do English majors/photographers, for instance, come to New York because they can't not come there and then build their brand once they get there? And where do they live during their 'starving artist' days, which might last forever?
Their parents are supporting them, obviously. We own a 2-family house and our tenant might be described as a starving artist. She's a graphic artist, works free-lance and apparently paychecks are few and far between. She's lived here over 10 years and her mother pays her rent. Aside from that, she's a good tenant or (as my husband says) her mother is!
And where do they live during their 'starving artist' days, which might last forever?
i saw a few living on the streets, some rent a room of a house, etc. few are materially well off here in nyc.
it would be an ideal situation for artists to couple with STEMers so they can complement/enrich each other in life. however, you see more and more ppl marry ppl of the same/close professions, and no wonder artist couples will go broke whereas StEM couples live a souless life facilitated by tech-driven material wealth.
If you're asking because you're thinking of trying it yourself, I'm guessing that most aspiring photographers get a 9-to-5 job, maybe something entry level in the art/photo department of a corporation. Or maybe a photography store. And they make do the same way that a secretary or sales clerk would.
The only day jobs left in New York, unless you have a very specialized skill or get lucky, are clerical temping and cater/waiter. You make $30 to $40,000 with no benefits or vacation. Many live with multiple roommates in neighborhoods like Bushwick or Astoria.
Their parents are supporting them, obviously. We own a 2-family house and our tenant might be described as a starving artist. She's a graphic artist, works free-lance and apparently paychecks are few and far between. She's lived here over 10 years and her mother pays her rent. Aside from that, she's a good tenant or (as my husband says) her mother is!
There is no "obviously" about it, your answer is not true and shows a clear lack of information.
Artists like every other career/profession/job in NYC draws persons from all walks of life. Yes, there are trust fund persons and or those that can rely upon money from a spouse, family or inheritance. But there are equally a number of artists (and one is including performing as part of said group) that are barely middle or even lower class.
The latter make it the way such persons always have in NYC, hustle. They work as waiters/servers (always a good gig because you can get fed), walk dogs/pet sit, babysit/nanny, personal trainer, temp agency work and so forth, any job that can accommodate odd hours and or allow free time to cultivate their "art". Aside from that there is the darker side of rent boys, escorts, and other ways of "singing for one's supper" as it were.
It is harder today for many artists because cheap housing in the City is hard to come by. Years ago from the UWS to Tribeca/SoHo, EV, Hell's Kitchen and even WV artists/performers could find affordable housing. Indeed much of Hell's Kitchen up the Westside was home turf for all sorts of such persons. Even if you had three or more living together to pay the rent, it was still possible. Today things are different. Every area "hipsters", gays, artists have discovered such as Williamsburg, Greenpoint, etc.. have become affluent and or are on their way to becoming so.
You hear more and more about artists moving to PA or other "scenes" because they just cannot afford any longer to remain in NYC. It does not help that various performing spaces, galleries etc... are either closing or are very expensive.
There is no "obviously" about it, your answer is not true and shows a clear lack of information.
Artists like every other career/profession/job in NYC draws persons from all walks of life. Yes, there are trust fund persons and or those that can rely upon money from a spouse, family or inheritance. But there are equally a number of artists (and one is including performing as part of said group) that are barely middle or even lower class.
The latter make it the way such persons always have in NYC, hustle. They work as waiters/servers (always a good gig because you can get fed), walk dogs/pet sit, babysit/nanny, personal trainer, temp agency work and so forth, any job that can accommodate odd hours and or allow free time to cultivate their "art". Aside from that there is the darker side of rent boys, escorts, and other ways of "singing for one's supper" as it were.
It is harder today for many artists because cheap housing in the City is hard to come by. Years ago from the UWS to Tribeca/SoHo, EV, Hell's Kitchen and even WV artists/performers could find affordable housing. Indeed much of Hell's Kitchen up the Westside was home turf for all sorts of such persons. Even if you had three or more living together to pay the rent, it was still possible. Today things are different. Every area "hipsters", gays, artists have discovered such as Williamsburg, Greenpoint, etc.. have become affluent and or are on their way to becoming so.
You hear more and more about artists moving to PA or other "scenes" because they just cannot afford any longer to remain in NYC. It does not help that various performing spaces, galleries etc... are either closing or are very expensive.
I'd rep ou if I could.
I know many artists surviving on whatever jobs they can get while still pursueing their career.
They don't have mommy or daddies help, or a rich husband/wife. They are living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by every month. It's sad too see artists being pushed out of the city. Mind you these people don't live in the hip neighborhoods or spend money gong out or on wasteful things. They are here for their careers and trying to get those gigs that get make them thrive in this city instead of struggling.
I know many artists surviving on whatever jobs they can get while still pursueing their career.
They don't have mommy or daddies help, or a rich husband/wife. They are living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by every month. It's sad too see artists being pushed out of the city. Mind you these people don't live in the hip neighborhoods or spend money gong out or on wasteful things. They are here for their careers and trying to get those gigs that get make them thrive in this city instead of struggling.
At least back in the day artists, students and anyone else short of money could perhaps find an apartment in the less desirable parts of Manhattan (and much of Brooklyn or Queens) even if it was a fifth floor walk up in a building full of sketchy and or old people. Those days are pretty much gone, and since rent/housing eats up the most of one's monthly nut.....
Even today many actors, actresses, musicians, painters and the rest of the "artist" crowd have various "day jobs" or and take what they can find to put meat on the table, and yes many still live with one or more roommates.
Good thing about today is that due to the Internet and other technology it is easier to start something of one's own such as dog walking rather than rely upon the employment market for work.
However just to put things in perspective, there are "starving" artists and there are working/jobbing variety. Some performers make very good money and are union. Corp de ballet dancers for ABT for instance earn around $80k to nearly $100k per year IIRC. The real "starving" category probably painters, sculptures and so forth. Those that must produce for a market and sell to "earn" their living.
Art handling, bartending, adjunct teaching (for those with MFAs), artist assistant, personal assistant, dog walking, office assistant, etc.
Some areas people like this live in are Prospect Park South, Ditmas Park, Sunset Park, Kensington, Bushwick, Ridgewood, Crown Heights, Astoria. The problem is that even those neighborhoods are getting quite expensive lately. I think it's got to be about $800 or $900 to rent a room at a minimum in most of those areas. If you want to pay less, like $700, you have to go out further and try places like Midwood, Bensonhurst, Elmhurst, Flushing, Grand Concourse, Bedford Park, Riverdale.
A lot of the artists I know have part time or full time jobs or freelance. Generally, if you're in the arts then you have some kind of technical proficiency for something such as UI design, some basic webwork, welding, carpentry, autocad, 3D modeling, running CNCs, laser cutters, creative suite, etc.
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I'd rep ou if I could.
