Patrons + Supporters Of Creativity

Surving + Thriving With The Help Of Patron Saints (+ Sinners)

Aug 29, 2024

If you know even a little art history, you know that patrons have been a driving force behind creativity and creators since the beginning of recorded human history.

From ancient to modern times, patrons have significantly influenced which creative works and creatives survive and thrive.

Patrons have also helped decide which works outlive their creators.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PATRONS + SAINTS

Since ancient Rome and Greece, patrons have been historically wealthy families, individuals, or institutions who commissioned works to enhance their own status and/or to benefit the public.

Fast forward to the Renaissance: The House of Medici stands out as a prime example of artistic patronage. In addition to producing four Popes, the Medici family produced (by way of financial and social support) polymaths like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, resulting in some of their most iconic works, such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Supper.

Similar patterns of patronage continued in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

More and more, rich and famous figures such as writer Gertrude Stein and socialite Peggy Guggenheim became crucial in providing financial and social support to artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Jackson Pollock.

JACKSON POLLOCK = PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG (AND OLDER) MAN

Individual patrons and supporters, known and unknown, have become increasingly important in defining and shaping modern art movements.

Today, with the help of online platforms like Substack and YouTube, it’s easier than ever for real-life fans and followers to help support creators and their work.

WHY SUPPORTING CREATIVITY IS IMPORTANT

As the clock and culture continue clicking and ticking, the need for paid patronage and social/social media support and is more crucial than ever, especially for LGBTQ creators who often face systemic barriers.

Even trailblazers like James Baldwin and Andy Warhol had to fight for recognition in their day, not just for their art but for who they were. Warhol, in and out of “fashion” throughout his life, depended on commissions to support his other creative ventures, from filmmaking to magazine publishing.

Things continue getting better for LGBTQ creators.
But that doesn’t mean support is any less important.

“Basically all the art we know in history books, the business model for that art was not unit sales. It was patronage. It was a person who made great stuff. And then an institution, a religious institution, a government, a wealthy individual, would pay that person to go make more of that.”
Jack Conte

WHY COMMUNITY SUPPORT MATTERS

For LGBTQ creators, community support is about more than just money—it’s about validation and empowerment. Crowdfunding, art festivals, and social media campaigns can offer the kind of backing that emerging and established artists alike need to survive and thrive.

Whether it’s promoting queer art, attending LGBTQ events, or creating networking opportunities, these small acts of support help creatives gain the recognition they deserve. Thanks to the internet, these can be in-real-life or online activities.

In case you didn’t know, few creatives love doing self-promotion. Whether in person or virtual, it’s hard. Most creatives, myself included, would rather stay in our studios, do our work, and have our basic needs and creative habits magically covered. But life doesn’t work that way.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As my Shop, Substack, and YouTube channel continue growing, in fits and starts, I’m excited about the possibility of connecting with more kind folks, from paid patrons to free subscribers to social media supporters. Sharing, in whatever way, is caring.

It certainly takes a village—and a creative, gay village idiot in my case—these days.

In today’s world, where voices that once struggled to be heard are now finally getting their due, your support can make all the difference.

Whether through financial contributions, sharing an artist’s work, or simply showing up, your involvement is a powerful form of patronage, ensuring that LGBTQ creativity (and history) continues to inspire the next generation.

Thanks for reading!
Clint