"Make good art." (Neil Gaiman)

In this commencement speech for the University of the Arts, Neil Gaiman shares some insightful and inspiring stories and ideas about working in the arts. The Magic Pony blog features the video here.

The main idea: "make good art" seems simple but is based on profound truth, "when things get tough... make good art." Some of the other highlights for me: his words on failure and success in the arts, how he "learned to write by writing", how we are living in a "transitional world" where "the nature of distribution is changing" and how "you have the ability to make art, the ultimate lifesaver."

Ben Cameron: The true power of the performing arts | Video on TED.com

Here is a great TEDtalk by Ben Cameron, "The True Power of the Performing Arts."
He addresses the current "democratization of the arts" with new media and the resulting monumental reformation of the arts: "we now live in a world defined not by consumption but by participation." If you have a few minutes it's a great talk.