This Artist's Journey
My belief was that an artist residency in Maui would open up to me. There was one that seemed to be a bum deal for an emerging artist low on resources because the artist would be responsible for transportation and for the one month residency, would cost around $3000, about the amount of the stipend. Effectively, the stipend would all go toward renting a car for a month. The program emphasized the need for transportation on Maui near the mountain-volcano Haleakala, the subject of my latest novel in progress. Well, it didn’t work out, so it will be a foregone dream for now but not forever. It is my intention to reapply when the wave of opportunity presents itself and to most certainly work on my novel if it hasn’t been published by then.
Feeling frustrated by yet another rejection from an artist residency, it took all my restraint to avoid composing a bitter email to the organization. I realized it simply wasn't the right time, nor the right fit. This frustration, however, wasn't isolated. It echoed the broader struggle of finding employment and securing commissions, a common challenge for artists in the corporate world. It made me ponder the ongoing discourse surrounding Universal Basic Income (UBI). What if UBI were funded through corporate taxes? Such a system could incentivize corporations to invest in social services, fortifying and preparing the workforce for employment opportunities. Corporations, driven by their oft-emphasized "bottom line," might eagerly hire a workforce they help support through taxation. This approach could fulfill our basic needs, alleviating the mental strain and insecurity that often plagues us, thus enabling us to contribute more freely to society. The potential impact of UBI extends beyond individuals; society as a whole could benefit, as people would be more inclined to pursue endeavors aligned with their passions and interests. It's a vision as beautiful as rolling grass in the wind, like blossoming hills adorned with orange poppy, purple and yellow hues. It's as beautiful as the golden flecks of rolling hay in the air and as beautiful as the concept of freedom itself.
