ArtistFAQs and Everything Experiential come together to launch AIM

Artists Industry Meetup (AIM) is the first of its kind networking event involving largely performing artists and the live experiential industry of India. Think of it as a platform where artists come together to network, not just in their limited circles but also with the big shots, the hot shots, the decision makers and the power players. This initiative is being spearheaded by ArtistsFAQs.com in assocation with Business World Applause & Everything Experiential. The event aims to resolve and reshape the way the live performing industry works today and to attempt eradicating the common problems faced both by the artists and events industry. The first edition of AIM kicks off at Bandstand at Aurobindo Market, New Delhi on 2 June '16.

India boasts of perhaps one of the largest repositories of artists across genres. Indian entertainers, some of the finest in the world, have been globally recognised and continue to remain popular across cultures. This is outlined by the rising popularity of Indian musicians across the continents as well as the wide following that the Hindi Cinema actors have garnered and continue to amass.

According to an “unofficial“ survey in 2015, majority of artists (approx 40-45%) in India fall under mainstream event entertainers, who make under INR 2,000,00/- per show or an event. Celebrity Entertainers in India (read A+ grade entertainers which occupy approximately 35-40%) take home above INR 10,000,00/- for every show or event that they perform in. In the minority are the niche entertainers (approx 10-15%) who perhaps are not the best known or are the fringes of a successful careers. These artists pocket less than INR 5,000,00/- per show or event. While the balance of equilibrium is certainly tilted in the favor of international artists, where any teenage artist can demand thousands or even millions of dollars, for a single performance, the scenario back home is different. In India, generations of seasoned musicians and brilliant independent artists despite possessing oodles of talent and if not more craft,find it difficult to score even a few thousands on our own turf among our own people.

You really do not need to rely on fancy figures of a large survey to realise the truth that that there are millions of artists and entertainers across categories in India. However, we only recognise a few thousands if we are seasoned pros in the industry, a few hundreds if we are just casually interested and perhaps a few tens if we are just another casual walker by the street. Why is it that in a nation, where practically 70% of the citizens can verbatim read out names of crickets from the deep secrets of their mind, yet struggle when it comes to naming few good artists ? - Is it because, artists are generally are too expensive to afford in India?, Is it because, there aren't enough events and opportunities for most artists to showcase their talents? Or is it because there isn't enough quality talent in the country? These and many such questions have kept producers & planners worried, while keeping great artists, on their toes looking for opportunities which just seem to not arrive.

Given the ever growing interests in live events and multinational brands allotting a substantial part of their yearly spending budget to the experiential segment, India with its teeming millions stands on the threshold of an all out revolution in the live event scenario. KPMG says that “Events are now considered a part of integrated communications programmes, which include traditional and digital media platforms as well.” There is very little doubt that with time the organisers and planners have become more efficient. This has lead to live artists becoming more creative and innovative in terms of application of their art forms in various events at multiple dynamic levels, eventually resulting in better acts and popularity. Pioneering artists have recently coming out with more live experiential and immersive acts such as Delhi’s own Midival Punditz’s ‘Lights’ which is a live act that involves the stage along with lights, sounds and visuals to give the audience a never seen before immersive and intrusive experience..

Despite this improvement and popularity rise all is far from being smooth sailing in the live industry and the performing artists today. Several problems, which really could have been solved with some patient and organisational work such as delay in payment, behaviour problems, lack of professionalism, lack of the right artist for the right act at the right price, still crop up and stand out like a sore thumb.
AIM meetups, organised monthly, essentially promises an open dialogue and discussions among artists, industry and those ruling the corporate sector in an attempt to iron out some of the aforementioned common glitches that leave those working behind the scene of such amazing live experiences; disappointed and disheartened.

The meetups will focus on targeted communities, groups and individuals like performers, experiential event planners, organisers, owners, food and beverage brands as well as the multimedia and event production firms. Needless to say that it also engages the live performing artists community and independent musicians, dancers, special acts and performers and brings them all together. Think of AIM as an intersection point.

AIM also provides an unbiased platform, with complete freedom for new upcoming independent acts and artists who are noteworthy and open a common meeting ground for people from the planning, production and execution levels of the industry, thus opening unique opportunities for them.

People from the live industry are often busy, and seldom get time to catch up with coworkers and other friends in the industry. Through AIM, everyone comes together under one roof to socialise and attend informative and enlightening talks about cutting age technologies used in the experiential world today, and of path-breaking creativity. Media heavyweights such as Business World and BW Applause provides in-depth and essential news and insights that are crucial today to understand the industry and decipher where the live market is headed to in the near future helping nurture the growth of fledgling careers.

People attending the AIM meetups discover and uncover new talent and ideas to convert their events and performances into experiences that would stay memorable for the various reasons mentioned above. Adding cheery on the top is that they do all this while enjoying some of the finest independent live musicians, along with a delectable cuisine and refreshments.

With AIM, the industry of events and performing artists will hopefully change for the better; all in good faith, time while achieving better transparency. Our aim is that new and unknown acts who are talented and innovative, get showcased to the right group of people at the right time, under one roof on a unified re-curated stage. Now is the time to get rolling as the first AIM meetup event happens on June 2nd. We hope to see you there.!

* This article was originally posted on blog.artistsfaqs.com. The content above has been used with permission of the owner of the blog. No copyright infringement intended.