Art Restart Podcast: Esther Hernandez
In June of 2025, multidisciplinary artist Esther Hernandez posted two videos on Instagram
that called out arts institutions and funders for expecting artists to provide ever
more work gratis.
“I am tired of watching artists be expected to carry so much to make socially engaged work, to give back, to support the community, to hold the weight of healing or justice when most of us aren’t even resourced to pay our bills, let alone afford health care or rest.”
In this interview, Esther reflects on the inequities that drove her to speak out and on how her posts sparked broader conversations about the invisible labor of artists. She also shares how her dual perspective as both artist and curator informs her ideas for more sustainable funding models and healthier creative practices.