Pamela Vail is a performer, choreographer, improviser and teacher. She is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Franklin & Marshall College, and also performs with several professional dance companies and creates her own choreography. To sample some of her work, visit architectsdance.org or acanarytorsi.org.
TILE: It’s a big question, but what does money have to do with the arts?
Pam: Everything and nothing, actually. The reality is that artists need money to make and produce art, but the actual soul of art has nothing to do with money. Art is creative expression.
TILE: From your perspective, what kind of support are artists really looking for?
Pam: I think artists are looking for support on a number of levels: for people to simply come see their work; for general advocacy – that people actually care that they can and do make work; emotional support; and, of course, financial support.
TILE: Is being in the audience just as important as becoming a major financial patron?
Pam: Related to your earlier question, I think the answer to this question is a resounding yes. I might venture to say that it may be even more important to be an audience member.
TILE: Art doesn’t have to appear on the stage or be hung on museum walls. How do you see art and daily life intersecting in today’s world?
Pam: In some ways, I see art more and more in “everyday life.” There has been a great new trend of “flash mobs” with music and dance, which is a great example. I also notice more artists making “site-specific” work, bringing art out from theaters and into public life – exposing it to many who may not otherwise choose to go and see art. Art is also more accessible via the web (YouTube in particular), and there are a number of TV shows that center around music, dance, and art. While this is encouraging to me, I also see a decline in audiences for live art – perhaps because it is so easily accessible otherwise. This is troubling to me.
TILE: What’s the best advice you would give to your teenage self?
Pam: Stay open to things that may seem weird, odd or unusual. Go see lots of stuff. If something makes you nervous, try it. Know that the models for art making and performing out there are not the only options. You can create your own models for art making and make art wherever you are. Try not to assume anything about anything or anyone, including yourself! Stay curious. Know that you will change – in ways that you can never anticipate. Enjoy the process – that’s the meat of life – this can be a hard one in a product-driven culture. But it’s important. Every day is important.
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