Job Application
By Tom • Jun 28th, 2008 • Category: Thomas GokeyJoanna Spitzner, Director
The Joanna Spitzner Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 6486
Syracuse, NY 13217-6486
Dear Ms. Spitzner,
I am writing in application for the advertised position of “Artist” as a part of the project “The Creative Class.” I believe that I am well suited for this position as I come from a long line of artists. My great-grandfather Peter Gokey, as well as my grandfather Robert Gokey, were both artists, inventors and entrepreneurs. I myself have over 20 years of experience as an artist. I also have business experience as the founder and president of Heart & Lungs Press, a publishing company designed to operate at a loss (thus far to the tune of $4,000).
One of the best aspects of being an artist is that it allows you to look at the world at a slant and to transverse a cross section of social, economic, and professional stratification. Artists are expected to be able to hold forth with philosophers while talking shop with manual labors and technicians of all stripes. We are expected to live on nothing and among those who live on nothing, while selling to (and pleasing the tastes and politics of) wealthy collectors. In short, an artist is someone who can talk to everyone, and has an excuse to do so (see my project proposal).
In the position of “Artist” I propose an hourly wage of $8.16. This number was arrived at by splitting the difference between $10.46 and $5.85. $10.46 is the living wage for a two-adult household (my current situation) living in Syracuse (as calculated at www.livingwage.geog.psu.edu/results.php?location=25231). $5.85 is the current federal minimum wage. This employment would supplement my income earned working the night shift at Elmcrest Children’s Center.
Please find examples of my previous work on my webstite: http://thomasgokey.com
Sincerely,
Thomas Gokey
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