I had a funny experience today. While presenting at a meeting about arts advocacy in D.C., I was asked a question about leadership, collaboration, and coordination. I responded that I didn’t think anyone questioned my leadership, or the work that we’re doing, and that certainly our efforts to collaborate are welcomed at every turn. I said that while sort of gazing at the ceiling, and with what i thought was an ironic inflection. When I stopped batting my eyelids and looked around I realized that they assumed I was speaking seriously…. I almost stopped to say, “just kidding!”, but thought it might undermine my otherwise flawless presentation. : )
That the folks in the room didn’t assume my humor really does speak to the hyperbole that regularly occurs in these kinds of conversations. I am confident in my leadership of the DC Advocates for the Arts. But I do still regularly question it, and have it questioned for me, and I don’t think that’s a weakness.
I almost wish I was like a Luddite, or Randian protagonist, interested only in my own success, but in fact, I am not. I hope that my leadership is a part of something larger than myself, and if it is, my leadership is replaceable. To me that is not in conflict with my confidence, professionalism, commitment, or leadership, but it does temper my self-promotion.
Your questions, their answers.
Ward 1 Councilmember Candidate Forum
Jim Graham (incumbent)
Jeff Smith
Bryan Weaver
Thursday, July 29, 2010
6:00-8:30p.m.
(Program will start promptly at 6:30p.m.)
True Reformer Building, Lankford Auditorium,
1200 U Street NW
(One block from U St metro station)
The forum is free and open to the public. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Childcare and accommodations, including sign language interpretation, provided upon request by Friday, July 23rd.
Please contact Ben at ben@empowerdc.org, 202-234-9119, ext. 4
Sponsored by DC Jobs Council, DC Jobs with Justice, Defeat Poverty DC, Empower DC, Fair Budget Coalition, Jews United for Justice, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless and Wider Opportunities for Women
Participants in advocacy campaigns usually spend a few hours a month on their work, if that. As Chair of the DC Advocates for the Arts the amount of time I spend is considerably more. I regularly take meetings not to directly forward our advocacy agenda, but because being a part of the conversation is how we figure out what we need to advocate for, and how to design our campaigns.
In one of those informational meetings a few months ago a staff member for DC Councilmember Cheh suggested I contact Janet Fries, a dc-based lawyer. He mentioned that Janet had been reviewing the DC Bar materials relevant to the arts, and had found that there was a hole in the code regarding gallery transactions. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I followed up with Janet and she explained it to me. I brought the issue to the DC Advocates for the Arts board, and with Janet’s help we’ve created a petition asking the council to address our specific concerns.
DC needs to amend the Commercial Code so that artists’ property isn’t taken by creditors if a gallery goes through bankruptcy. When they overhauled the business laws a few years ago they stripped out sections governing consignment transactions — which is what it is when an artist gives their work under contract to a gallery. There is no lose in this for anyone. We know with community support we can get this done. If you haven’t signed the petition yet, please click here and sign now!
