On Artists Donating Work

It is that season again when orgs, mostly large ones, are asking artists to donate art for their favorite cause. It is always good to help others but in this bad economy I think it is especially insensitive to ask some of the hardest hit, the artists, to donate anything. I normally don't like the idea anyway because it hurts the already weak art market locally. Between donations, student shows, auctions etc., many of those who can afford to buy work buy at these reduced rates. Artists are actually hurting other artists while helping people who can afford to give to charity regardless of whether they get artwork in return.

Artists, if you can afford to give your work away I suggest buying art directly from artists who are having financial difficulty. There was a tradition of that earlier in history, I haven't heard of much of that lately though.