Where are all the people that know what they’re doing?Robert Meyer Burnett

This has come to me in waves over the years, but I've been inundated lately with questions and concerns from students and colleagues about the value of education and experience in theatre, music, photography—the arts, in general.

"It's who you know" has always been a thing in every walk of life—perhaps more so in the arts. I have two degrees and 30 years of experience in the arts. Sometimes it means nothing and other times it means everything. Now that the world is smaller, thanks to the internet, I concede there's less to be said with a diploma and more to be led with experience (under the right circumstances). That said, of course, it gets my goat when someone with zero experience/education jumps to the head of a line. It isn't earned. No, it's not fair, but whoever said it was?

It's frustrating when folks don't see/appreciate the difference between someone with a degree from NYU and 20 years of experience vs. someone with no education and no experience (aka "Shortcuts"). I get it. Quality, particularly when it comes to "the process," suffers. Shortcuts don't make lasting impressions. Buying a nice camera doesn't make you a photographer. Listening to music doesn't make you a musician. Being directed doesn't make you a director. One trend I've noticed is surrounding yourself with enough people who don't know any better in order to insulate yourself from those who do.

Barking at the heels of someone with power until you get what you want is the new "It's who you know." Be patient. Quality ultimately reveals itself. I've been hanging my hat on that hope for a long time. Part of our mantra at Hickory Arts has always been quality over quantity. Do the work, earn the skills. Drown out the noise the Shortcuts make by focusing on what you can do to make a difference.

Jeff Hartman
Artistic Director