The Death of Specialization: Why Artists' Skills Alone Won’t Cut It

Creative Risk

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE
Just the boys for this episode discussing a topic that's long been on their minds. As technology and AI continue to replace skill-based work, the traditional notion of the artist is undergoing a seismic shift. No longer confined by rigid job titles or institutional validation, today’s artists are being challenged—if not forced—to adopt the broader identity of "creative" or even cultural influencers. Drawing parallels to artists of the past and ancient societies, it's clear that what was old, is new again. We've been here before.

Social media and late-stage capitalism have brought an unsettling yet transformative opportunity: building an audience around a unique perspective rather than a specific skillset. The democratization of art via social platforms strips away the pretense of institutional gatekeeping, making it clear that art has always been about selling a point of view. By embracing the messiness of this new era, artists can focus less on meeting traditional notions of "great art" and instead invest in authentic storytelling, audience connection, and entrepreneurial thinking. This episode argues that the death of specialization isn’t the end—it’s an invitation to innovate and transform what it means to be an artist today.

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“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.