tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1285009.post-56528307876121912272008-06-20T20:15:00.000-07:002008-06-20T20:15:00.000-07:00We're moving to back of the "Old Tyme Country Renaissance Faire" museum pieces. Sad. Eight people can only do so much. <BR/><BR/>Earlier this year, a person representing a major magazine contacted me. She wanted to know if I would help her find storytellers for their HUGE gated festival the magazine puts on once a year. <BR/><BR/>Where did they want storytellers? In the kiddie section, in a 10x10 booth, back near the nursing mothers booth. WAAAY off the beaten path. <BR/><BR/>I suggested to her that storytellers were a main stage presentation as or more interesting and viable as any of the local bands that were going to play. <BR/><BR/>She was stunned. "I never thought of that. But how can reading books from the stage be interesting to adults?"<BR/><BR/>I tried to explain. She never called me back. I am sure she booked a Mother-Goose-style Performer and paid that person $10 an hour. Old Tyme Country Faire. <BR/><BR/>Yesterday, I went to my local Arts Council meeting and had to explain even what "storytelling" was. I don't like "standard practices." but man, I think we need them. <BR/><BR/>Our storytelling institutions are less "robust" than they are just "rust."<BR/><BR/>Listen, can I be in charge of 500K per year? For one, I would pay a liaison to liaise all over, including the conference that started this rant. <BR/><BR/>That's right. I'd pay someone to actually talk to outsiders, "including administrators, artistic directors, development officers" and I would forbid that person to post on any of the major "echo chamber" lists. <BR/><BR/>That doesn't mean they wouldn't communicate.Seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676753252592150679noreply@blogger.com