Civil Society/Arts Media & Society
Overview
New York City has been characterized as the cultural capital of the world. A hub of multiculturalism, the diverse ethnic influence can be seen in the art, music, stage performances, fashion and food of the great city. For more than a century the city has been a world renown destination for the arts. Home to cultural institutions, such as, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, The New York City Ballet, and of course Broadway.
The arts aren’t just confined to institutions, buskers pepper the city, and studios, galleries and fashion designers set up in the nooks and crannies they can afford to rent. It is a city of treasures to be discovered by those on the hunt for the ‘next great find’.
The Societies of New York City are many. From the High Society of the gala throwing, wealthy, elite and connected, to those that grow organically around the subcultures of underground music, fashion, art scenes. It is a city where you can find anything, if you know where to look.
Theme
New York City crosses the spectrum of arts, music, and society. It’s a place where you can find work from the old masters only a walk away from the latest Banksy piece. The city spans the highs, lows, and everything in between of fame. Those striving for it, those who found it, and those who lost it. Musicians who failed in their fifteen minutes play in the streets to make rent. Artists who were once up and coming, suddenly find the reviews declaring their work ‘derivative’ and missing the ‘promising spark’ that had originally brought them to the spotlight.
Dreams are fought for, found, crushed and sometimes, rarely, attained. Even knowing these truths people flock every year with their hopes raised, thinking they're going to have their big break. Talent isn’t enough, ambition can only carry you so far, and at the end of the day serendipity usually needs to intervene to get dreams realized. For a lucky few that serendipity might even take the form of a wealthy patron, willing to buy your success with money and connections, but nothing is for free, and even fame is usually fleeting.
Current Plots
- A rising starlet, Katrina Volusia, has suddenly and inexplicably become a recluse.
Joining the Sphere
Anyone can acquire Art, Media & Society Status either during character creation or while in play. Consider your particular place in the sphere: are you a rising artist? A political booster and fundraiser? A news anchor?
This is less about your personal gravitas, as that would be reflected in the Fame merit, though the two can easily go hand-in-hand. Status is about the reputation of your organization and the power and access your position within it grants you. Likewise, if you're interested in having reporters under your thumb, Allies would reflect this better than Status.
While there are no requirements for joining, the following stats are suggested:
- Presence or Manipulation
- Investigation, Expression, Subterfuge, Persuasion, or Politics.
- Contacts, Allies, Fame
Samples of Arts, Media & Society Contacts and Allies include:
- TV Producers
- Concert Promoters
- Reporters
- Bartenders
- Art Dealers
- Street Performers
- Bloggers / Influencers / Instamodels
Rules and System
Status in Arts, Media & Society is representative of your influence in the broad spectrum of endeavors of artistic and societal merit. Consider what your character has done to earn their Status, and how it plays a role in their larger story.
Status has several functions. First, it can apply to a Social roll with those over whom you have some sway. Second, it can grant you access to relevant resources or facilities. Third, it can be used to block a single instance of Mentor, Resources, Retainer, Contacts, or Allies once per chapter if it's of a lower dot rating than your Status, and makes sense. But consider the drawback: Status requires maintenance, and you're likely to be called on for favors, deeds, or tribute to keep your foothold.
- Status 1: Status 1: Rising Prospective Talent, Notable Society Face about Town
- Status 2: Gallery or Theater Owner, Standout Artist, Donor to the Arts
- Status 3: Museum Curator, Producer, Major Fundraiser, Recognizable Socialite
- Status 4: Philanthropist, Board of Directors of arts organization, Major Artist
- Status 5: Social Icon, Nationally-Recognized Artist, Founded an Arts College