Professional Artists seeking government regulation and licensing of Artists.
Governmental Regulation and Licensing of Artists
Brooklyn, New York--A coalition of artists is seeking to establish basic competency standards for artists. Decrying the lack of general artistic competence, an activist group calling itself S.A.C.K.E.D. (Seeking Artist Competency and Education) has issued a call for governmental regulation of artists.
What we are seeking is a federally mandated standard that an artist would be required to meet to qualify for the legal designation of artist, said a spokesperson for the group. Fifty years of conceptualism, abstraction, and minimalism have created an artistic environment where basic skills such as drawing and painting have been devalued.
There are estimates of as many as 100,000 artists living in New York City alone. The impact an untrained or unskilled artist can have on an unsuspecting populace is tremendous. You are required to get a license to drive a car, own a gun, practice medicine, and teach school and S.A.C.K.E.D. has taken the position that art should be treated just as seriously.
This is about consumer protection, the spokesperson continued, with the abundance of so-called artists and poor quality art, the average citizen is vulnerable to fraud or, at the very least, bad taste. Unfortunately, you cant impose aesthetics on people, but you can require skill, training, and professionalism. Enforcement of reasonable standards will allow the average consumer of art to feel secure in the knowledge that they are dealing with a real artist.
The group proposes a universal standard based upon the art test issued by the Art Instruction Schools of Minneapolis, MN. Founded in 1914, the school has established a basic series of exercises that help determine artistic ability and potential.
By evaluating the performance on this simple test, trained professionals can determine whether there is evidence of genuine artistic talent. As the national database is developed, a degree system will be initiated. Based on an additional set of criteria, artists can apply for Master, Journeyman, Apprentice, and Hobbyist designations.
S.A.C.K.E.D. is currently engaged in an intensive grassroots lobbying campaign. A full set of activist tools are available on-line at http://www.shishaldin.com. Supporters are encouraged to contact their elected officials, write letters to the editors of their local papers, organize a Local "MEET UP", and make and distribute flyers.
A Full Suite of Activist Tools Available at http://www.shishaldin.com
For More Information: art@shishaldin.com
