The Art of Showing Up: Finding Free Resources and Real Accountability as an Artist
One of the biggest challenges we face as musicians and artists is access.
Sometimes it’s space.
Sometimes it’s classes.
Sometimes it’s just the right person to show us the ropes.
And let’s be real—most of us aren’t made of money. Voice lessons, studio time, instrument coaching, or fine art instruction? That stuff adds up fast. And for a lot of us, especially those still building, it’s just not realistic to swipe a card for every resource we need.
So what do you do when you can’t afford formal lessons, but you still want to grow?
For me, the answer was my local church choir.
Choosing Community Over Cost
Now listen—joining a church choir is a commitment. It might even scare some people off because it’s not just a “drop-in when you feel like it” kind of thing. But I saw it as a powerful trade-off:
I don’t have to pay for weekly voice lessons.
They need voices.
I need practice, training, and structure.
It made sense.
And the real magic? Accountability.
You know how it is when you pay for something—you might still flake. Money doesn’t always make us show up. But people? People looking you in the eye? That’s a whole different kind of pressure.
I had one conversation with Miss Betty—and now I have to show up to choir practice. If Miss Betty doesn’t see me next week, she’s gonna be side-eyeing me from the alto section. And honestly, that’s the kind of gentle pressure I need right now. These people have become my accountability circle, whether they know it or not.
We Need Accountability That Looks Us in the Eye
I get up every Sunday.
I show up to rehearsal.
Not just because I want to improve vocally, but because my character is on the line.
Sometimes we don’t need another app, another planner, or another payment plan.
We need someone who knows our name, who’s expecting us to be in the room, who will notice if we’re gone.
Find Your Version of the Choir
Maybe you’re not a vocalist—maybe you’re a painter, a dancer, a producer, a writer.
Whatever your lane is, I encourage you to ask yourself:
Where can I trade my gifts for growth?
Maybe it’s teaching a free class at the local community center in exchange for studio space.
Maybe it’s volunteering at an art program that gives you access to tools, space, or mentorship.
Maybe it’s offering help to a more experienced artist in return for time, critique, or collaboration.
The point is: find the trade-offs.
And even more importantly: find the accountability.
Because growth comes not just from talent—but from showing up.
