Storyer

Patronage.

by Mary Courtney Blake

This weekend I attended a jazz performance.  The music was very good, but something was off.  It was about three songs into the set before I realized what was missing -- no one was dancing.  Being a patron of the arts is in some ways an uncharted course because it is not always apparent what one is to be or to do in the presence of art, whatever the discipline.  Enchanted or captivated is of course a great start, however, I would like to propose that art cannot become great until it moves you.

You see, you are the completion of art.  You, the patron, are the one that determines whether art is (dare I say) good or bad, successful or unsuccessful.  This is not to say that you must like the art in order for it to be good, but you must consider it and respond to it.  Great art inspires us, it teaches us, it enlightens us.  Some will shock us, some may anger us, and some may cause us to dance... but whatever it is, great art changes us.

So next time that you find yourself a patron of the arts, allow yourself to consider and respond, allow it to move you.  Get out of your chair and dance.