Book Explores Diverse Funding Strategies for Artists from Renaissance to Present

Mason Currey's new book 'Making Art and Making a Living: Adventures in Funding a Creative Life' examines the varied financial approaches artists have employed throughout history. The publication organizes these methods into categories including family support, employment, patronage, and unconventional schemes. It presents anecdotes about numerous artists such as Louise Nevelson, Philip Glass, Frank O'Hara, and Jean-Luc Godard, detailing their resourceful efforts to sustain creative practices. The book spans from Renaissance examples to contemporary cases, though it has been noted for certain omissions regarding government funding and major patronage systems. The work compiles stories from secondary sources without presenting new discoveries, focusing instead on illustrating the diverse economic realities artists navigate.