A 30th birthday is a target many people set themselves for making it in an arts career. But is it realistic?
Embedded within our social norms are certain expectations as you prepare to end your third decade: completing formal education, starting a family, buying a house.
But a career in the arts is never linear. Opportunities are erratic, often appearing and disappearing unpredictably. It could be that off-the-cuff conversation at that gallery opening or that producer who watches your show that creates the traction and momentum eventually leading to your break. Or a different kind off break coming of a pirouette or unfortunate interview after sleeping badly can have the opposite effect.
As you hit your late twenties the grand life questions seem to assume more importance Am I doing enough? Am I on track? What choices position me better against colleagues and competitors? Which begs to ask the even bigger question: is there still hope if you still supporting yourself from your second job when you hit 30?
Melbourne comedian Nath Valvo says certain expectations come with the territory for any creative person in their late twenties. In fact he has built his latest show around the idea. Valvo’s show Almost 30, which is currently playing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, explores the premise of turning 30 through reliving a series of disappointing birthday parties.
The young comic who splits his time between stand up and the commercial radio airwaves at Nova FM was a founding member of comedy trio The Shambles, has participated in four comedy festivals and toured interstate. At twenty-four Valvo gave solo stand up comedy a shot at Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival and from there things have kicked off. Turning 30 he is on track.
‘I’ve started to now have a couple of breaks, Nova [FM] are starting to entrust me, considering I took Nova off air twice in my first week, I pressed the wrong button and took the entire network off the air for 30 seconds, and I was 28 at the time when that happened. So if I was 28 and still stuffing up and I didn’t get fired from my job then I must be doing ok.’
But he says any age is a good age to be a comedian. ‘The best thing is no matter what’s happening in your life, a big bunch of people are going through the same thing. I think whether you’re turning 30 or 80 or eighty, whatever the stand up material you’re presenting, there’s going to be an audience for it.’
Some grants opportunities phase out at 30, implying that funding bodies and philanthropists expect thirty-something artists to be self supporting.
Tasmanian visual artist Nathan Taylor says artists have a limited window to access some opportunities, although ‘emerging artists’ grants are not so rigidly age-defined as youth grants. ‘The visual art world is really well supported by a lot of profit and not for profit organisations. Some of the prizes offered help to tune people under 30 like the Martin Bequest, when I received that I think it was still for the under thirties, and also the Metro Art prize which is for artists under 35.’
Taylor says the focus on the new means there is value in making it in your 20s. ‘Curators and collectors are always looking for the next big thing. It’s that thrill of finding and discovering that emerging artist. I think that it helps to help some recognition early and have your foot in the door so that your career can develop from an early age, any recognition from a gallery or participation in group shows is fantastic for the longevity of an artist.’
Taylor, whose work will show in The Australian Landscape opening in Berlin later in the year, says entering his thirties has had a positive effect on his artistic practice.
‘You can see a technical advancement and also the maturity of ideas, and I’d like to think my ideas have become more refined and relevant. ‘I only produce about eight artworks per year and my work evolves quite slowly due to the nature and time consuming processes. I’ve given some artist talks recently and tried to cover ten years of work in fifty minutes. I think that it’s exciting to see that slow development.’
Dancers, so dependent on their physical fitness, are most threatened by encroaching years. Ballerinas used to be considered almost over the hill at 30 but even in dance the expectation of youthful success has receded.
Sydney dancer Sally Hare points out dancers are vulnerable to the same injuries at 20 that they are at 30. ‘There’s stigma in a way, but I’m not sure if it’s realistic. I’m 27 and about to turn 28 and so I’m bordering on 30 myself. Thirty is one of those funny numbers that people pick out when they’re younger than 30 and when thinking about developing themselves professionally.’
Hare, is performing in Carmen on the Sydney Harbour has toured in Fame: The Musical, and appeared in television, music videos and feature films but she feels like she is just beginning. ‘My career won’t end at 30, it’s just getting started. I’ve used the last five years to work and set myself up.’
But hitting 30 does tend to promote a new awareness of the need for income and stability.
Says Hare: ‘As a professional dancer you go from gig to gig and don’t always know where your income is coming from, so in that sense people think of 30 when they want to settle down, have a family and sort out things like finances, so I can see why people have that need and be organised (as they get older).
‘I now want to do different things in my career than I wanted to do when I was say 20. Now I want to start thinking about the production side of life. All performers are crazy people, we never really make it in our mind, and someone else is always doing the kind of things professionally that you want to do. ‘I consider anyone who has made any kind of income as successful, on top of that things change and life changes.’
Nath Valvo’s show Almost 30 is currently playing until 21 April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Visit the festival’s website for more information.
Sally Hare appears regularly at Sydney’s Slide Bar as apart of The Stroke of Midnight Comedy variety and is currently appearing in Carmen.
Nathan Taylor’s exhibition schedule is available online. for more information about his upcoming exhibitions.
Below is Nath Volvo’s take on working behind the counter when you can’t get work in the arts.
