William Deresiewicz is the author of The Death of the Artist: How Creators are Struggling to Survive in the Age of Billionaires and Big Tech.
That title says it all and lays the groundwork for this episode of The Art Biz.
In this conversation, Bill and I explore how the digital landscape has transformed the livelihoods of individual creators, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
Bill shares his insights on the evolution of the artist’s role over the centuries—moving from artisan to bohemian, then to professional, and now to what he calls a ‘producer’ in our modern gig economy.
We delve into the realities artists face today, including discoverability, financial instability, and the ever-growing need to balance creative work with self-promotion and business savvy.
A key theme in our dialogue is the importance of community support among artists. Despite the fierce competition and market pressures that come with this new digital era, Bill emphasizes the necessity of adapting and embracing the opportunities the internet provides.
Being part of a supportive community of like-minded artists, like our Art Biz Connection, can truly help you navigate this landscape.
Listen
A selection of Bill’s published works.
William Deresiewicz Quotes
“The good news is that you can do it yourself. And the bad news is that you have to. ”
“… money is part of the arts because it’s part of everything.”
“[T]he internet has ushered in what I call the fourth paradigm, which is what people want to call the creative entrepreneur. And as I already said, I hate that phrase because you’re not really an entrepreneur.”
“ … the genius, the solitary hero, the … creator uncorrupted by money is still what we have. And … those are wonderful ideals and I think they’re good things to aspire to. But you also have to have a very clear understanding of what the practical, tangible financial realities are.”
“ … the platforms [are] sucking all the money out of the arts.”
Bill’s talk for the Family Action Network on the topic of his bestseller, Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life.
Mentioned
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These episodes touch on social media.
About My Guest
William Deresiewicz is an award-winning essayist and critic, a frequent speaker at colleges, high schools, and other venues, and the author of five books including the New York Times bestseller Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life, which was published in a 10th-anniversary edition in May 2024.
His most recent book is The End of Solitude: Selected Essays on Culture and Society. His current project is a historically informed memoir about being Jewish.
Follow Bill on Twitter: @WDeresiewicz
