Six Ways to be an Art Ninja

Six Ways to Be an “Art Ninja”

We artists tend to be lovers more than fighters, but in the constant battle for resources, relevancy and respect in the arts, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to summon our inner warrior and channel our best “art ninja.”

There are 18 standard areas of training for ninjas.  And similarly, arts professionals must keep honing our technical, artistic, communications and management skills.  Mastery in the following six ninja training modules could prove useful to artists and arts professionals.

Seishin Teki Kyoyo (Spiritual Refinement)

The ninja works at developing a deep and accurate knowledge of himself, his personal power, his strengths and weaknesses, and his influence. The ninja is very clear about his intentions, commitments, and personal motivations in life.

As art ninjas, we need to have circumspect and self-awareness.  What influences us?  What political, religious and personal beliefs guide us?  What is our personal vision for fine and performing arts in our lives, professions, neighborhoods, and communities? What social causes or platforms (if any) do we seek to further through our art? What do we believe is the true role of art for humankind?

Culture and art often work in the realm of our souls and spirits.  Knowing ourselves helps us insert soul into our work.  In the words of Leonardo di Vinci, “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

Tai Jutsu (Unarmed Combat)

Skills of striking, kicking, and blocking; escaping the holds of others; and taihenjutsu, or silent movement, rolling, leaping, and tumbling assist the ninja in life-threatening, defensive situations.

Art ninjas are faced daily with challenges that threaten success.  Arts organizations are vulnerable to budget cuts, competitor organizations, staff changes, donor fickleness, mission creep, and sometimes even a downright lack of creativity.  We need to develop a variety of defensive and offensive moves (donor cultivation, grant-writing, political acumen, volunteer training, audience building) that make us efficient, strong fighters.

Just as importantly, art ninjas should be good managers of time, resources, projects and problems.  Environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawkens wrote, “Good management is the art of making problems so interesting and their solutions so constructive that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them.”  What better way to make problems interesting and solutions constructive than through art?

Ninja Ken (Ninja Sword)

The ninja's sword has a short, straight single-edged blade, and is considered to be his primary fighting tool. Two distinct sword skills are required of the ninja. "Fast Draw" techniques center around drawing the sword and cutting as a simultaneous action. "Fencing" skills use the sword to clash with armed attackers.

We art ninjas need a sword of purpose and mindfulness to achieve our cultural and artistic goals.  Our “Fast Draw” techniques are our ability to respond to changing environments with strategic and decisive actions.  We develop our “sword” skills by always being able to counter attacks with clear and concise points about the relevance and value of the work we do.  Sometimes we get weary or resentful of defending, but a ninja would never throw down her sword and surrender!

Shinobi-Iri (Stealth and Entering Methods)

The ninja's techniques of silent movement, breaking and entering, and gaining access to inaccessible areas are legendary. Togakure ryu ninjas learn special walking and running methods for covering long distances, passing over floors silently, and staying hidden while gaining entry.

Art ninjas must be experts at making the inaccessible accessible for people of all age, race, gender, socioeconomic status and ability.  Our creative powers allow us to break into locked places and open the doors so that others may enter and participate.

This is important because art heals.  Performance art gives us shared experiences and draws us in. Singer and songwriter Billy Joel spoke to the universal qualities of performance art when he commented, “I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.”

Bo-Ryaku (Strategy)

Unconventional tactics of deception and battle, political plots, and advantageous timing are used by Togakure ryu ninjas.

The arts community prides itself on its spontaneity, independence and flexibility.  But the ninja has the end goal in mind at all times and each step moves toward the vision. There is a perception that art embodies or embraces chaos, but novelist John Cheever actually argued that “Art is triumph over chaos.”

Effective art ninjas must be proficient in planning and implementation, and must master communication and persuasion to elicit the help of others in achieving the artistic mission. 

The path to creative fulfillment is not always smooth.  Things happen, projects go awry.  Scott Adams (author of Dilbert) said, “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”  If we start with an end in mind, it makes the sifting and sorting process much easier.

Chi-Mon (Geography)

Familiarity and strategic use of the terrain are crucial skills of the ninja.

Actor Wendell Pierce saw the power of art and community.  He stated, “What thoughts are to the individual, art is to the community as a whole. That's where you reflect on who you are, who you hope to be, what you've gone through, and where you hope to go.”

Art ninjas know their community intimately.  They understand their audience, the political climate, and the hopes, dreams, struggles and frustrations of the residents.  They spend plenty of time getting familiar with the physical landscape, diligently looking for new and unusual spaces for collaboration, installation and performance.  

There is one more important characteristic of ninjas to consider.  In contrast to Hollywood portrayals where the lone ninja strikes under the cover of darkness, the most effective ninjas actually move and work in teams.  Each team member serves a certain function, whether it’s espionage (research and information gathering), distraction (we will call this good PR and attention drawing), breaking and entering (gaining access), fencing and sword play (the hard work of getting the work completed) and finally, assassination (which in the arts world equates to removing barriers and obstacles!)

Together, we are stronger art ninjas!  Working in concert as artists, performers and arts administrators will help us keep a focus on the important work of the arts in Evanston, leveraging resources, venues, time and support for the many projects, programs and installations that give our residents not just life, but life worth living and enjoying.

 

*Photos courtesy of Wikihow, "How to be a ninja"