I recently attended the Midwest Arts XPO (MAX) arts conference, which brings together arts professionals to encourage innovation, create educational opportunities, and strengthen artist touring relationships.

The future of performing arts snapped into focus for me amid the buzz of the MAX conference, challenging everything I thought I knew about my artistic path. During the opening session keynote speech, I saw my journey as a performing artist mirrored in Ben Cameron's insights into the future of arts organizations. As he outlined the post-COVID crossroads facing the arts world, Cameron presented three stark options:

1. Cease operations and transfer assets

2. Recover and revert to pre-pandemic methods

3. Reimagine and reinvent

Though framed for organizations, these choices resonated profoundly on a personal level. In this post, I'll share how Cameron's pivotal talk has reshaped my approach to navigating my path forward as a performing artist,

Option 1: Walk Away

There have been moments when the thought of "folding up shop" has crossed my mind. Cameron's perspective made me realize that stopping doesn't have to mean failure. It could be a chance to preserve the legacy of what I've created and perhaps find new ways to contribute to the arts.

I thought about the countless hours spent perfecting my craft, the audiences I've connected with, and the stories I've told through my music. If I chose to step away, those experiences wouldn't disappear. They'd become part of my story, and maybe, I could find a way to pass that passion on to the next generation of artists.

Option 2: Stick to What I Know

Then there's the option to double down, to push harder along the path I've always known. I've spent years honing my skills, building industry relationships, and carving out my niche. Part of me wanted to cling to this familiar territory, to believe that with enough perseverance, things would return to "normal."

But Cameron's words served as a sobering reminder. The landscape is still changing. To succeed on this path, I'd need not just talent and hard work, but also the resources to weather ongoing storms and the adaptability to meet new audience expectations.

Option 3: The Exciting (and Scary) Prospect of Reimagining

The idea of reimagining my art both thrills and terrifies me…. And it is the right path for me.

Read more about what path I’m choosing in my next blog: Finding My Path Forward as a Performing Artist.