This applies to businesses as well. We can think outside the box and come up with ways to support each other!
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Transcript:
Hi — I’m Adrean Clark. I wanted to share with you a thought that popped up today. You probably know that I am a deaf cartoonist. I do comics. Many people ask me to do different ideas, and propose various projects. I think that’s good, our community needs comics.
However I’ve noticed some things from observations without and within. Deaf artists as a group start from a different place than the average hearing artist. Especially when it comes to economic status. Hearing artists compete for grants and it is difficult for a deaf artist to jump into the fray. They barely get by.
On the other side, our community and organizations have a tendency to expect deaf artists to contribute their skills. They ask for favors. The artists feel awkward. The organizations are puzzled at why little to nothing comes from it.
There is a serious disconnect here. I’m very concerned.
This is why I have an idea, a proposal. Organizations like the National Association of the Deaf, Deafhood Foundation, etc., could set aside some money for special projects on targeted ideas, and bring them to deaf artists to consider. They could have a single project in mind, fundraise, and then pay artists for their work.
Alternatively, individual artists could make proposals and then if the organizations like those ideas, they could help fundraise for those projects. We can find ways to work together and succeed. The danger is, if we don’t explore those options, the very things you find joy in will be gone. Who will draw, film, and make masterpieces for us?
Thank you.
