Help Desk 4 Creatives: Stating Your Purpose

By Merritt Minnemeyer
arttimesjournal August 1, 2018

Recently I was discussing the power of language with a musician friend of mine. She was describing her revelation about the importance of choosing words thoughtfully, and how only in the last few weeks has she come to understand the usefulness of that practice. This came as a revolutionary idea from her perspective as a classically trained musician; in her experience it was music that held the true power, while words or lyrics were ancillary to her craft. We laughed at our difference in approach – though I am passionate about music, I habitually lean into the words first (being a writer and communicator by nature). We came to the decision that both of us were right.

This got me thinking about the efficacy of words for those to whom words don’t come easily. Many clients walk through our office doors who flourish when communicating with sound, light, and color, and become bashful when asked to talk or write about their work. Some employ words as the centerpiece of their work, visual or otherwise, while others prefer to put any other medium at the forefront. Where is the bridge between these approaches? How do we prepare the way for artists of each communication style to be effective for the others, and to the public at large?

One tactic that is beneficial, and perhaps necessary for all artists, is crafting an artist statement. This is the short narrative, 1-3 paragraphs typically, that describes your work’s purpose. It may include your process, your perspective, and what you hope the audience or viewer to understand from your work. A quality artist statement will have a clear theme that rings true for you and that explicates what drives you to create (see links below for more on how to create an effective artist statement).

There is another, and arguably more meaningful, effect for creating your statement. Something quite concrete occurs when we put thoughts into words on paper or a screen. Those ideas solidify not only for the reader, but for the writer as well. I have seen many artists who proclaim to be “terrible writers” find a renewed understanding of their own purpose, their own unique sense of self; from foggy, muddled thinking to clarity in a few sentences. That kind of connection to a higher self is worth far more than one picture’s worth of 1000 words.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the weight of pinning yourself down into words, what would happen if it became an opportunity for you to develop as an artist? Imagine those phrases transforming into platforms for new ideas and inspiration. By stating your purpose, you may discover a renewed sense of direction and fulfillment. Or it may be a simple exercise in marketing. Either way, those words are yours to do with what you will, and there is great power in that.

Please share your statements with me! Write to merritt@artsmidhudson.org for support, feedback, or a healthy “way to go!” and put “ATJ Artist Statement in the Subject line. I’d love to see what you come up with.

For more information on creating an artist statement, see here*:

https://www.theartleague.org/blog/2015/08/24/artist-statements-we-love/

https://www.agora-gallery.com/advice/blog/2016/07/23/how-to-write-artist-statement/

https://www.gyst-ink.com/artist-statement-guidelines/

*the links provided herein are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views held by Arts Mid-Hudson staff or Board of Directors.

Merritt holds a BFA in Acting, an MPS in Humanistic/Multicultural Education, and is a life-long practitioner and educator in a plethora of artistic media. She serves the arts community in her current role as facilitator of funds after nearly 20 years as a funds-seeker. She lives in Ulster County with her three vibrant sons, and two goofy pound pups, newly adopted kitty, and one remarkably darling husband.