Do you have a story to share about making art and making a living?

We’re partnering with KCRW’s The Organist, a monthly experimental arts-and-culture podcast, to produce a show about creativity and finances. We know making a living as an artist can be incredibly hard, and there are hundreds—maybe even thousands—of reasons why choosing to sustain yourself as a working artist can feel like a risk. For this collaborative podcast episode, we’re looking to learn a little more about your actual experiences trying to achieve financial stability as a creative person. Maybe you’ve figured it all out and have wisdom to share, or maybe you’re in a financial hole—either way, we want to hear from you.

To share a story about how you’ve been able (or unable) to make a living as an artist, CALL or TEXT (814) RL-SNAIL.

Your story can be about:

• Art- or student loan-related debt
• The day job that sustains your practice
• Your cooperative/creative business model
• Why you’re in an unexpected financial situation
• Ways you’ve successfully (or unsuccessfully) sold your creative work
• Something else you feel the need to share (as long as it’s related to the theme of supporting yourself as a creative person)

If you text us, rest assured that your story will be read by our team only, and if we choose to share it on the podcast, we’ll use a voice actor to read what you share (your phone number will never be shared).

If you call and leave a message, let us know if you’d like us to disguise your voice for extra anonymity, should we choose to use the recording in the podcast. And, if you’re open to us following up with you about your story, include your email address in your message (this is completely optional).

— The Creative Independent and The Organist