2-Day Conference on ‘A Day’s Pay for a Day’s Art’ for Any and All Artists

“A Day’s Pay for a Day’s Art,” a two-day conference to be held in Pasadena this weekend, is designed to encourage artists to become more active in shaping public policies affecting their careers.

For artists of all disciplines, the conference is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Art Center College of Design. It is sponsored by the TheatreWorker’s Project.

“Lots of artists are working for free,” said Susan Franklin Tanner, TheatreWorker’s Project director. “How many sculptors can sell their work? How many poets can make a living? Our society is not set up this way. This is a conference to look at that.”

Workshops and discussions on labor organizing, tax laws, political lobbying and grants will be among conference activities.

Scheduled speakers include Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs (discussing the Los Angeles Endowment for the Arts); Harlan Ellison, author and lecturer; David Foster, a labor leader active in linking artists with the labor movement, and Rhodessa Jones, a San Francisco-based performance artist.

Sponsoring the conference in association with TheatreWorker’sProject is California Lawyers for the Arts, Foundation for Art Resources, L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Artists Organizations and the Midnight Special Bookstore.

Advance registration is $15, $10 for students, seniors and the unemployed. Registration at the door is $10 per day. Information: (213) 221-7672.