Politician / Civil Servant

Government support for cultural and artistic institutions is a driving force behind how arts are introduced, taught, preserved, and showcased for the people of many countries. In the United States, government organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts provide thousands of grants funding arts-related research, performances, education, and institutions every year. 

Elected politicians hold positions in which they can introduce and influence the passing of laws and public policy on behalf of the people they represent. They are uniquely positioned to advocate for the funding of artforms like music in public and educational spaces. Musicians who are passionate about arts advocacy and helping others can make excellent political figures who use the power entrusted in them to introduce policies in support of the proliferation and preservation of the arts. A musician’s experience performing in front of audiences, working in group settings, and experience in event organization and technology sets them up well for the pressures of being a public-facing government official.

Civil servants (professionals working for governmental departments and offices) play an equally important role in making the services of the government actually reach citizens. Musicians can find fulfilling and influential work within government organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts or state art councils that work to get music and other arts to as many people as possible, especially those who would otherwise not have the exposure. Musicians make excellent public servants because their experience in performing for the public, event organization and management, performance technology, and working toward a deadline, make them invaluable support for any politician or public-facing organization.