Staff Writer - Katrin Callender
Once upon a time I worked alongside a friend who was a musician. She was often forgetful or flustered by a large influx of details. Another friend, also a musician, is similarly hassled by math and hates planning for the smaller things in life. Why have meal plans, or a roster for household chores? Why not be spontaneous? I’m an artist, after all! I’ve also known persons from whom no creativity is expected because they are efficient managers of their natural environment, their work spaces and of events or of activities. These ‘machines’ lack the passion to be artists, right? While it seems unlikely that persons can operate successful within either realm, it is not impossible.
I am a bit frustrated when my artistically inclined friends complain about the ‘nitty-gritty’- those details of daily life that seem unimportant- and exclaim that they are not cut out for jobs that require them to perform mundane tasks. I am here reminded of a scene in the popular drama Grey’s Anatomy wherein Christina (Sandra Oh) brings Preston (Isaiah Washington) to her home. They discuss the mess and she reveals that she buys new underwear instead of doing laundry. It makes for a funny scene, but for many it is not a reality. It is not feasible with the global economy as it is right now.
Artist at work - Could she be more organised?
On the other hand, I am equally disturbed when my more organized friends with administrative jobs, seem to reject the Arts, deeming all fields as impractical, not real jobs or –secure work that will give monetary rewards- and relegating them to hobby status. Many artists I know have sacrificed their talents because of this well-known admonition. And ironically, they have the made sacrifice, wrangled with the underlying desire to pursue the course, and wound up pursuing it anyway- in some instances, tinged with the unfortunate resentment and bitterness that comes with succumbing to the will of another or, the more pleasant outcome, joyously liberated from living a lie and feeling that their ‘true’ selves have finally come up for air.
In Trinidad and Tobago, many practitioners in a plethora of fields take on positions at educational institutions. This may be to mentor interested parties; supplement their income; or bring in finances after retirement. Whatever the reason, their outlook impacts student growth. It is detrimental for a student to be told to abandon creativity in learning, even if their field of study is seemingly far-removed from the Arts. Much theoretical work related to the field of Education promotes the use of creative lessons to stimulate the minds of students or reinforce the lesson. Conversely, Arts programs must continue to promote the development of Language Arts and Mathematical skills, in the form of Communications or Financial Literacy. The challenge is in executing these in a manner that will appeal to the students and help them to be poised to run their own lives rather than depend entirely upon publicists or accountants or any other individual.
As artists or as administrators, we are much more marketable when we demonstrate flexibility and a command of various skills. Strategic planning often starts with imagination; and fantasies seldom come to fruition without organization. We may not be able to call ourselves experts in every field connected with our business, but in order to give usable input, we must educate ourselves about every facet.
