For the typical starving artist (plus the 11% of unemployed and 17.5% of underemployed Americans), the Holiday season's joyful tradition of gift giving has become a daunting juggling game of trying to make loved ones happy by buying them thoughtful gifts without going broke (or plunge further into an already overwhelming debt).
However, fear not, the Daily Loaf's
Sarah Gerard has come up with some ideas to keep you from drowning in debt this season, while still conveying the Holiday spirit.
1.
Volunteer (offering up several hours of service to a loved-one's favorite charity is a great way to get into the holiday spirit by not only showing a friend or family member you support his / her cause, but also by generously devoting your time to helping those in need)
2.
Bake (a good way for a "starving artist" to show creativity with
inventive recipe choices and personalized package decoration)
3.
Make a mix tape (again, good way to use your creativity - with
thoughtful song choices and package decoration)
4.
Offer your services (use your best assets and skills to show someone how much you love them... i.e. if you're a photographer, offer to take a family portrait and have it framed or to be the designated Christmas day photographer and create CD montages as post-Christmas presents)
5.
Share your resources (get together with fellow starving artists and / or family members and friends and rummage through each others' closets and storage spaces. One person's trash is another person's treasure)
6.
Re-gift a book (be careful with this one... only re-gift slightly used books that clearly match a loved-one's tastes or interests and write something personal on the inside cover, as Gerard suggests)
7.
Recycle (this is another "one person's trash is another person's treasure" idea... you could even get the dreaded
spring cleaning out of the way by cleaning out your closet or storage spaces and finding old picture frames to decorate or vintage tee-shirts to could give to rock-loving friends)
8.
Babysit (every parent you know would appreciate this one)
9.
Go hands-on for kids (another good way for starving artists to showcase their talents and a fun weekend activity)
10.
Give a growable gift (plants, herbs, and seeds are cheap, personal and make a dreary winter day a little more cheerful and spring-esque)
To see the author's tips, tricks and comments, click
here.
A Chicago-based program called the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship will seek to eliminate the "starving artist" stereotype by teaching artists how to become successful entrepreneurs. The program, which is set to launch in September 2010, contains a two-year curriculum combining experimental learning, mentorship and a personalized classroom environment. Another feature, which seems to be especially useful, is the curriculum's inclusion of vital one-on-one time with faculty (who are successful artist-entrepreneurs). 
Lisa Canning, a 25-year business veteran and artistic entrepreneur, founded the Institute and states,
