A Manifesto, A Strategy

<h4>As someone who has worked in artist-run culture in various capacities, I am fascinated by the vast contrast in the way people are valued when entering an institution as an artist or as a staff member. The artist is generally brought in as an external expert, tasked with changing the face of the institution on a temporary basis. They are often given autonomy, but with the understanding that it is for a very short time only. The worker, however, is tasked with understanding their place within the established system or hierarchy, and doing only what is asked of them. There is usually little room for independent thought, let alone action. The lack of trust, independence, and respect that I have felt while working as a staff member in various arts institutions, is ultimately what made me decide that it was not a viable career path for me in the long term, and instead I decided to focus on my art practice.</h4><p></p>