NEW YORK (REUTERS).- Economic woes have pinched the pockets of wealthy
art patrons, but artists who rely on those commissions say they are surviving,
albeit with more specialized works and smaller payoffs. In a time of tight
budgets, commissioning a work of art for commercial or corporate spaces like
Rockefeller Center must dovetail with a company’s marketing strategy and promote
its public image, not just soothe charitable urges. A more far-reaching impact
of the recession is likely to be felt on U.S. art commissions years ahead,
experts note, because a commissioned piece can take years to complete after
money is allocated. A lack of funding now may mean less art later.