Do Artists Need Managers?
Recently I was talking to a young female artist on the London Tube, as you do. She was telling me about her plans to self-finance and manage the production of her album. She was going to look for the right team, employ them to help her then build her own career. When I asked her if she had a Manager she looked at me with some indignation and said, “No, because I don’t need managing”. She went on to tell me how she thought the term was derogatory and old-fashioned, and she made me think how right she was. An artist is a creative free spirit. They do whatever takes their fancy, follow their muse and create. The term ‘Manage’ insinuates putting boundaries around them, restricting them and telling them what to do. I’d like to coin a new one – an “Artist Concierge”. Someone who is in service to the artist, there to facilitate and help. I wonder if it will catch on? Any ‘Managers” willing to comment?
About Neil
Good thinking….talented artists need help and guidance, not controllers. And Artist Concierge has a nice ring to it.