Thriving In A Volatile Creative Industry
BY LEAH LI
Joey Manlapaz, painter and educator. Zenith Gallery.
In a world where art and business collide, Joey Manlapaz defied the odds, turning passion into a thriving and fulfilling career despite the risks of the volatile creative industry. Entering the creative industry can be risky, with opportunities for great success but also challenges to overcome. As a less lucrative industry, the volatile creative industry is known for its intense competition, unpredictable trends, and financial uncertainty. While many pursue careers in this field, only a few achieve notable success. The foundation Nesta found that in the United States alone, there are 10.3 million jobs in the creative economy. Joey Manalapaz is one of the few who managed to make a name for herself as an artist.
While her father’s outlook seemed discouraging, in hindsight, Manlapaz reflected that it was one factor that helped her succeed in her career. “There has to be some kind of resistance so that you push yourself to do what you want to do”, Manlapaz explained. She knew that her father wanted her to follow a financially successful route and she was aware of the risks of becoming an artist, “Nobody goes into art to make money,” Manlapaz acknowledged, “They just don't go hand in hand”. It was her passion that drove her to follow the artistic route.
Manlapaz’s deep passion for art played a crucial role in her success. When her father expressed his desire for her to pursue a career as a doctor, she knew she couldn’t do it, she couldn’t handle blood and her heart lay in art. “The first sign of failure, and you're out of the door.” Manlapaz emphasized how long-term success in any career or business is unlikely without passion. Despite her father’s initial disapproval, Manlapaz was fortunate that her parents put her through college, an opportunity not everyone receives.
In her pursuit of art, Manlapaz was aware of the instability of her career. As something to fall back on, she earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts to qualify for university-level teaching. While painting alone posed financial challenges, her role as an educator provided essential financial stability. While Manlapaz is quite successful in her career, she reflects that she could have marketed herself better, “In college, you're never taught how to market yourself. So that's more or less something that you have to learn on your own.”. When she was young, Manlapaz marketed herself constantly by writing to newspapers and magazines, but that alone wasn’t enough. Although she was on the quieter side, Manlapaz would engage with visitors through casual conversations during her exhibitions as a form of marketing. By building a solid reputation, she eventually gained recognition.
Even though Manlapaz is a businesswoman, she never considers herself as one. “Maybe that's why I'm not rich, because I've never thought of it as a business,” Manlapaz commented. Nevertheless, she thrives in the creative industry through her pursuit of passion, a well-planned contingency strategy, and effective marketing, overcoming all obstacles along the way to fulfill her dream.
