Tax corporates and help artists live in dignity

By Franck Barthelemy

While I was reading the latest Artquest's newsletter, a headline captured my attention: how can art funding be better distributed? This is a crucial question for all artists and especially for those whose practise is not mainstream, sometimes non-commercial. A painter who makes canvases might be in a better position than a fresco artist, who needs large walls in public space, who might also be in a better position than a performance artist whose work is ephemeral by definition.

A painting can be sold. It will be displayed at the buyer's house and disappear from public viewing.There might be an emotional and financial value attached to it. The artist makes other paintings survive. A fresco can be made on a private building provided local authorities approve it and money is spent to get large quantities of paint, scaffolding and such other things. It will unfortunately deteriorate over time without maintenance and extra expenses. It cannot be resold. The artist might not be able to make many of them. It will be seen by millions of people.There might be a great emotional value attached to it but most probably no financial value. A live performance is unique. It can only be done once. A few people can only see it. The artist will be paid every time the art is performed, sometimes only once.

The cases are different in nature and necessary both for the artists and for the art world.Unfortunately , we will all appreciate art work without thinking we need artists to make them, artists who can hardly sustain themselves and live a decent life. Art collectors are the master node of the ecosystem provided the art is saleable. When it is not saleable because it is too daring, too large or too contextual but nonetheless necessary -because it is questioning a political situation, for example -who will pay for it and give the artist the freedom to make it? The cultural ministry? Budgets all around the world have been cut down to almost nothing. The philanthropists?

They are an endangered species.The private institutions? They are more interested in developing a collection (valuable if possible) to the owner's taste. The companies?

They are buying a public conscious through art. However difficult it might be, we all know we need to protect our past and create a cultural future. Let's have a 0.5 per cent tax deducted of companies' profit and income tax to fund regional art trusts governed by committees of artists, art professionals and representatives of the public. The trusts commission, buy and preserve the art of the moment for the benefits of future generations. Because art is necessary.

(Franck Barthelemy is an art collector and adviser who has been living between France and India for over a decade, travelling extensively, hunting, unearthing and supporting hidden talent)