The Artist as Culture Producer: Living and Sustaining a Creative Life

by Sharon Louden (Editor)

When Living and Sustaining a Creative Life was published in 2013, it became an immediate sensation. Edited by Sharon Louden, the book brought together forty essays by working artists, each sharing their own story of how to sustain a creative practice that contributes to the ongoing dialogue in contemporary art. The book struck a nerve—how do artists really make it in the world today? Louden took the book on a sixty-two-stop book tour, selling thousands of copies, and building a movement along the way.

Now, Louden returns with a forty more essays from artists who have successfully expanded their practice beyond the studio and become change agents in their communities. There is a misconception that artists are invisible and hidden, but the essays here demonstrate the truth—artists make a measurable and innovative economic impact in the non-profit sector, in education, and in corporate environments. The Artist as Culture Producer illustrates how today’s contemporary artists add to creative economies through out-of-the-box thinking while also generously contributing to the well-being of others.

By turns humorous, heartbreaking, and instructive, the testimonies of these forty diverse working artists will inspire and encourage every reader—from the art student to the established artist. With a foreword by Hyperallergic cofounder and editor-in-chief Hrag Vartanian, The Artist as Culture Producer is set to make an indelible mark on the art world—redefining how we see and support contemporary artists.

Louden’s worldwide book tour begins in March 2017. More information and tour dates can be found online at

Genres: Art, Essays, Business

404 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2017

Reviews

[Melissa Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done with a good array of artists. As an artist, it gave me a lot to think about and I found it inspirational. It underscores that there is no one way to be an artist and engage with the arts.

[Ann Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dense but well-written and valuable. It's taken me a year to read, deciding early on that it was something that I'd just read a page or two daily. It's stories about individual artists and their life and path as an artist and creative person - how they make it work for them on a variety of individual elements including finances, family, work, etc. It's words and text and both inspiring and supportive to anyone in a creative field. It reassures you that you're not alone on this path, and that one way or another you can make it work in a way that is best for you.

[Evon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because I enjoy reading about artists working lives, and there are a number of intriguing contemporary artists, entailing their stories in their own voices. At 400 pages and 3 lb, the book took a while to get through—I didn't want to take it anywhere.

This isn't for all of my Goodread buddies, but if you are interested in artists whose practices are aligned and in conversation with today's social and political culture, check it out.

[Kimbo Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of the most thoughtful & comprehensive books on sustainable creative practice ive ever read. highly recommend taking your time with this one. i know ill revisit it for years to come.