I dont need volunteers or a festival management. I just need a parking space and they are to be had everywhere. I come park, and the crowd comes. I tell festival volunteers to ask for a slice of the proceeds-what fools to work so hard so others can make money on stage.

Abusive practice
Stupid

And at our huge arts event everyone gets in free anyway.

Been there done that. Not necessary.

Either all volunteer or all get paid. Now what is not fair about that.

When I accept payment for my work it is private work- a book for a private individual for example, a lecture to a select group. Not public.
There is a vast difference between private and public.

Professional musicians need to inhabit the private domain or when doing public donate their services.

When public events are more accessible then there will be many more private events to keep the pros employed.

And no I dont think of public funds as any different. Not only does taking money by pros limit number of public events as only so much can be afforded but should't public funds be better spent on the eunemployed, and hungry?

Again the professional musician not only limits the number of events but takes money that could go to more pressing concerns.

I am really concerned about the continuing use of public funds for folk music in these difficult times. I am encouraged by the attitude of at least one of my professional friends when faced with a shrinking public subsidy for their concerts.

Lets re tool she said- there is still no shortage of wakes, weddings, birhdays and other private celebrations which are very well funded in deed- you just have to find them.

Again. If more people experience the music via free folk music more will value it and more will select folk music for their private events. Not rocket science here.

Why do professional musicians want scarcity? Because they think it makes them more secure but it does the opposite- it limits access and limits the market.

Conrad