Artist Basic Income & Crowdfunds FYC
. . . in Your Budget
LA Fires Update
In light of the enormous loss, damage and trauma caused by the fires in Los Angeles, LA artists impacted by the fires are at the top of FYC list below. Some of have lost loves ones. Some have lost homes. Some have lost a lifetime of memories. Some have lost their safe places. Some have lost instruments and tools vital to their art and livelihood. Some have lost income due to productions or events canceling. Mutual Aid LA has a wonderful spreadsheet with several fire recovery resources. However an artist was impacted by the fires, the FYC list below is here to help if and when insurance, government safety nets, and organization offers take too long, involve too much friction, or are not enough to meet needs.
Do you have an “Artist Basic Income” in your monthly budget? What about a “Non-Celebrity Artist Patronage” line item? It can be an income. When considering others, it can be an expense. In the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Mars Rovers, why not an economic model slightly more sophisticated than just Conan the Barbarian getting his?
Before a deeper dive into WHY Artist Basic Income (and Universal Basic Income or UBI more broadly), here’s a list of crowdfunding efforts. For those who appreciate the artist, this growing list serves to step away from algorithms. And answer the question “WHO?” as one researches and explores art and artists beyond celebrity entertainment sold by Fortune 500 companies. Until UBI becomes the law of the land, we can all crowdfund our own. And donate to the basic income funds of others.
The LIST includes one’s name, any labor union affiliation, a link to the basic income platform and a link to one’s website or primary online portal. As an example, here is my entry:
Roman, Mark | Fires Note | SAG-AFTRA member | Venmo | Patreon | Mark Roman Empire
There are four categories: Artist, Crew, Journalist and Universal/Fan.
Artists include actors and comedians like me. Artists also include musicians, painters and other media and performance artists. For these purposes, writers (including screenwriters) and directors are considered Artists. But if you identify more as Crew, that’s fine.
Crew includes stagehands, drivers and other behind-the-scenes professionals. They may belong to or aspire to join such unions as Teamsters or IATSE. Union or not, they may also be representation, support staff, team members or others who make an artist’s work possible.
Journalists have a special place in my heart, as I am an expelled student editor on the FBI’s Subversives List. A journalist may currently work at (or have just been laid off from) a news organization such as The LA Times. A journalist may be lesser known, but also in pursuit of answers to questions to report to the world.
Universal/Fan covers everyone else. Including fans of artists and journalists. Artists and journalists who may not be celebrities.
To be considered for the list, complete this Google Form. A recurring subscription delivers a regular monthly income, such as Patreon. But if all one has is a GoFundMe, Venmo, Cash App or PayPal, that’s a start. One can always revisit the form to update with new information.
Congratulations! And thanks for taking a positive step towards not just loving art, but looking after the artist as well. Visit LoveTheArtist.org to discover more. And if you have the means, even $5 helps a fellow human (including those who identify as Artist, Crew or Journalist) listed below.
For Your Consideration
LA Fires, Impacted by
Artist Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
Berman, Miles | SAG-AFTRA member, Strike Captain | Venmo
Roman, Mark | Fires Note | SAG-AFTRA member | Venmo | Patreon | Mark Roman Empire
Sartain, Adam | SAG-AFTRA eligible | Venmo | website
Crew Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
TBD
Journalist Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
TBD
Universal Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
TBD
For Your Consideration
Artist Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
Anastasia | SAG-AFTRA member | Venmo
Porras, Veronica | Venmo | Por*Ass Podcast
Crew Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
Collins, Darrick | SAG-AFTRA member | GoFundMe | Instagram
Journalist Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
TBD
Universal Basic Income Crowdfunding LIST
Santens, Scott | Patreon | website
© Mark Roman Empire. Like what you’re reading? Want more? Share this with a friend! And if you have the means, a one-time donation to my Cash App or Venmo or PayPal helps me deliver you new creative grooviness sooner. Donating to my Artist Basic Income Patreon or GoFundMe is a wonderful way to Love this Artist! You can also subscribe to my Substack. Thanks!