“Encouragement Over Agendas: A Plea for Positive Spaces”

I recently attended a workshop for artists—a space meant to encourage creativity and offer hope during uncertain economic times. I went in expecting to hear how artists can persevere, create, and thrive even when life feels challenging.

And that would have been a great message.

But that wasn’t the message I heard.

Instead, the speaker spent over an hour telling us how the current administration is hateful, taking away grant money, and spreading racist rhetoric. She even shared a personal story about experiencing racism as a child.

And I sat there thinking: How is this helping these artists?

The artists in that room didn’t come for a lecture on politics. They came for guidance, support, and maybe a spark of hope. Life is hard enough for creators trying to sell their work in any economy. Lecturing about “the current administration” does nothing to put paint on the canvas or money in the bank—it only divides the room.

Imagine instead if the message had been about creating through struggle—about using raw emotion to fuel art and connecting with the community through that work. That’s the kind of encouragement artists need! Hard times aren’t new. They come and go, and life will always throw challenges our way, no matter who is in the White House.

I was taught to “know your audience.” And when you’re not sure where people stand politically, it’s usually best to focus on a message that encourages and brings people together. Positivity for all. Inclusivity. Encouragement.

Because at the end of the day, the arts should bring people together—not push them further apart.