Supporting artists helps shape cultural storytelling and preservation
One of the main ways we pass today’s ideals to the next generation is through culture—visual arts, music, theater, television, and even cuisine. Focusing on the visual arts specifically, we can see how each period captures the spirit of its time. It was the paintings of the early to mid-19th century that reflect the romantic ideals of westward expansion; impressionist works reveal a desire to find natural beauty among an increasingly industrialized and urban society; and modernist pieces show a generation’s curiosity and experimentation with new forms of expression as a way to escape from world wars.
These artistic contributions serve as visual records of cultural trends and beliefs, offering insight into the soul of each generation. Preserving this heritage is crucial—not only for understanding the past, but also for informing and inspiring the future.
One might ask: Is it only the artists and curators who are responsible for capturing these memories of our time? The answer is no—it takes all of us. By supporting artists whose messages resonate with your values, and by backing museums, galleries, and cultural institutions—local or national—you help ensure that the stories, ideas, and expressions that define our era are preserved and shared. In this way, patrons play an essential role in shaping the cultural narrative. Culture is, in many ways, democratic: what people value and support is what endures and spreads.
Support comes in many forms. Financially, it might be an annual membership to a local museum, purchasing a piece from a favorite gallery, commissioning work from an artist, or donating to an arts nonprofit. It may also be as simple as attending free cultural events or following your favorite artists and galleries on social media.
Consider this: Would Taylor Swift be the cultural icon of the early 21st century without her millions of supporters? Would Andy Warhol have had such a profound impact on modernism without audiences drawn to his avant-garde vision? Artists create, the world responds—and it is the audience, as tastemakers, who allow certain ideals, values, and expressions to shape the culture and define this generation’s legacy.
So ask yourself, what do you want this generation to be known for culturally? Your support helps shape that legacy, so I encourage you to be a part of the conversation.
Great ways to give back to the cultural community this year
- See a show at the Peace Center. peacecenter.org
- Put on your cowboy boots and enjoy live music at the Foundry. foundrygvl.com
- Embrace Greenville’s own display of European Old Master paintings throughout Bob Jones University. museumandgallery.org
- Support local artists through Metropolitan Art Council’s Open Studios Nov. 15-16. greenvillearts.com
- Experience the next generation of talent by purchasing tickets to the South Carolina Children’s Theatre production of Annie Dec. 5-21. scchildrenstheatre.org
- Peruse the Grand Bohemian Gallery downtown to view works by visiting artists. kesslercollection.com
- Walk through the history of music at Sigal Music Museum. sigalmusicmuseum.org
- Get in the Christmas spirit by experiencing The Nutcracker. carolinaballet.org and internationalballetsc.org
Sterling Crawford is an artist and founder of Stall Three Studio, an online gallery that showcases international artists in the Greenville area. Visit stallthreestudio.com for more information.
