Art Isn’t Accessible & I’m Fed Up!
The silver-lining of quarantine is that I realized I’m ready to start facing my fears and embarking a new journey in the entertainment industry. I’ve realized I love storytelling and I would love to pursue more in sketch and stand-up comedy. Another silver-lining of quarantine is that performing arts classes are all online, making it easier for me to take classes through companies based New York, L.A., anywhere!
I’ve spent hours trying to find the perfect class for me. A class that isn’t to time consuming, I get “zoomed out” easily, preferably taught by a teacher of color, and most importantly, a class that is cost efficient. After hours of google searches and 20 open tabs later, the only thing I’ve found is frustration.
Why is art so inaccessible? I have seen art classes and workshops averaging about $100-$500+ for a 4 or 8 week session. Who has that kind of money? Some of these classes I could afford but it’s the principle. I’m not spending hundreds of dollars for a 4 week virtual class taught by a white man, who probably isn’t even that talented.
I think about my younger self, wanting to go to sleep away drama camps and participate in art programs but we just didn’t have the financial capacity. Art is our birth right. Life is art. There shouldn’t be a price tag on my passions. There shouldn’t be a price tag on anything but that’s a conversation for another day.
So now what? Do I put aside my pride and pay up? Do I stop pursuing the one thing that keeps me sane amidst all the chaos? Or do I become a pioneer for my QTBIPOC (Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color) creative community?
I choose the latter.
For the remainder of 2021, I am focusing on learning from creatives of color and share my knowledge with kids of color in low-income areas. My goal is to offer acting/improv workshops for low-income youth and share resources to all Queer creatives of color because our stories are too important to not be heard.
I’m just so exhausted trying to navigate through a white and male industry, so it’s time I make my own, and uplift other likeminded organizations. It’s time we make art accessible for all. It’s time for the stories of marginalized communities to be showcased, because our stories are too powerful and unique to not be shared.
Creative Resources for QTBIPOC & WOC
TMI Project - workshops and resources highlighting Black stories
Queer Creatives Liberation Collective - virtual creative space for Black liberation, creation, & mutual aid
BWA Studios - QTBIPOC and WOC animation studio
Women in Animation - resources and workshops
Legacy: Black Queer Production Collective - Black Queer production company
Art Hoe Collective - micro-grants for artists
4 Culture - grants and artists calls
If you know any other great resources to share, contact me!
