But Can I Pay My Rent Tho?!: Surviving as a TQPOC Artist
May 24 & 31 / 6pm & 9pm
Free/Pay What You Can
RSVP: arts@gaycity.org

Without art, there can be no movements. Yet, artists are often unrewarded for being the drivers of change, which has created a culture of unsustainable practices. In particular, being a Black/Brown artist who is along the trans and/or queer spectrum means that we are more at risk for being underpaid and undervalued for our brilliance. This workshop will make space for trans & queer artists of color to develop long-term strategies towards a life supported by their creative work. Participants of these sessions are artists and cultural producers of all disciplines who are ready to build a career from their practice. Part 1 (May 24) will focus on evaluating your financial needs and plans as an artist. Part 2 (May 31) will recharge your marketing needs and put your plan into action. This workshop will intentionally engage a framework of dismantling anti-Blackness, white supremacy, transphobia, and more as we imagine the role of TQPOC artists creating their own liberation.

This workshop is part of Trans Arts Month, a month long series of performances and events celebrating the beauty and diversity of work by trans artists. Learn more: gaycity.org/transartsmonth

Accessibility Info: The Calamus Auditorium at Gay City is ADA accessible, has two single-stall all-gender restrooms, and is minimally scented. There will be scent free soap in the restrooms. More info: gaycity.org/access

J Mase III is a Black/trans/queer poet based in Seattle by way of NYC. A blogger for the Huffington Post he is author of “If I Should Die Under the Knife, Tell My Kidney I was the Fiercest Poet Around” as well as “And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer’s Reflections on Grief, Unemployment and Inappropriate Jokes About Death.” As an educator, J Mase has worked with thousands of community members in the US, the UK and Canada on the needs of LGBTQIA youth and adults in spaces such as k-12 schools, universities, faith communities and restricted care facilities among others. He is the founder of the international performance tour Cupid Ain’t @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Poetry Movement and of awQward, the first ever trans & queer people of color specific talent agency. You can find him on Facebook, twitter and awQwardtalent.com.