Blurring the lines Between Artists and Producers

The workshop that I attended began with a statement made by Peter Feldman: “We don’t all make art, but we all make art happen”. This is a statement that is very near and dear to my heart. I am not an artist by definition, but I am an inspiring cultural manager. I, like so many other cultural workers live in breath art everyday without picking up a paintbrush or pirouetting across a stage. Half of this conference is dedicated to people like me who strive to make a difference through the arts by making art happen! There was a lot of conversation in the workshop and in the CCA discussion paper that presented the idea that artists are becoming their own producers. What should be done about this? What is our role? Is this even true?