Wedgwood Circle, a unique take on patronage

It has become increasingly popular (thankfully, in my humble opinion) in Christian circles to speak positively of creating Art and culture, and of doing so from a uniquely Christian perspective. From pastors such as Tim Keller, Andy Crouch, Scotty Smith and others who ultimately stand upon the towering shoulders of Francis Schaeffer to artists like Bono, Andrew Peterson, Michael Card, Charlie Peacock, Makoto Fujimura, etc., many are promoting creativity as a mimicry of the Divine and the creation of beauty as a valid avenue of bringing glory to the ultimate King of Glory.

There are also some who are beginning to address the issue of creating environments of creativity, caring not only about the end product, the art, but also caring well for the artists. Wrapped up in this larger discussion is the interesting aspect of caring for artists by purposefully developing a market for their art. In other words, if artists are to thrive and help us as a society “see” what few in our increasingly frantic culture have the time or trained eye to see, then we must think through the creation of avenues by which artists may earn an actual living wage for their work. In other words, we are talking about the revival of a system of patronage.

Wedgwood Circle is one particular group pursuing just this kind of endeavor. Check them out.

If you are anything like me, your reaction will probably follow a similar path. Mild confusion – elementary understanding – utter disbelief – growing excitement – an uncontrollable urge to initiate something similar – an uncomfortable reminder that I am not, nor do I know any “high net worth investors” – low level depression – reminder that it is ultimately God who is the Author of all good things – and then my final arrival at a place of dependence upon the Lord to do what He will.

(Why must I always go through such emotional gymnastics before I arrive at dependence upon and rest in Him? Oh well, yet more evidence that I have not yet arrived. Man, and I thought the whole seminary degree had taken care of that one.)