The Artful Life Questionnaire: Santa Claus

What we know for sure: We all have a story, and engaging with the arts helps all of us to tell our own stories on our own terms. We also know that there are ways to engage with the arts other than in formal cultural venues, and that sometimes it is more about the process of art making than it is about the end product. We also know that living an artful life, which is to say, living a life in which the arts and arts engagement are a priority means different things to different people based on their own interests, their communities, and many other factors, including equitable access. The Artful Life Questionnaire celebrates the diversity of ways we can make the arts a part of our lives, and, hopefully, inspires and encourages us to live our own unique versions of an artful life. In today’s edition of the questionnaire, we’re speaking with the one and only Santa Claus! 

NEA: Please introduce yourself. 

Santa Claus: I’m known to most in this country as Santa Claus, but I have different names and identities across the world – Father Christmas, Père Noël, Sinterklaas, Der Weihnachtsmann, Noel Baba, Babbo Natale…

NEA: Do you have a current art practice or a way of regularly engaging with the arts? 

Claus: Absolutely! The arts are abundant at the North Pole. The elves and I craft many things by hand to share with children and families – toys, of course, but also instruments, clothing, and home goods that require skilled handiwork. I specialize in a number of artforms, including textile weaving, leatherwork, wood carving, and embroidery. To make one doll requires a great deal of skill and creativity! 

NEA: What are five words that come to mind when you think about the idea of living an artful life? 

Claus: Imagination, joy, love, goodwill, and giving.  

NEA: Pick just one of those words and expand on how you see it as part of living an artful life. 

Claus: Goodwill is a feeling of togetherness and community – something I find essential in living an artful life. I would not be able to complete my work without the help of my elves, the reindeer, or my dear Mrs. Claus. Their help is both material – assisting with the physical labor involved in creating and wrapping gifts and getting them to families across the globe – and intangible. Their unwavering love and support motivates me to continue on even when preparing for Christmas feels daunting. 

I also feel the spirit of goodwill from all over the world when people lay out cookies and milk by their fireplace, light lanterns along their streets, sing carols on doorsteps, share mulled wine at a Christmas market – all the ways their cultural heritage is expressed at this time of year. Creating community and sharing traditions not only buoys creativity, it makes life merrier. 

NEA: Where do you currently live, and what are some of the ways that your community tells its story through the arts or through creative expression? 

Claus: I live in the North Pole, and there is no shortage of creative expression up here! Decoration is an essential part of life in our neck of the woods – ornaments and tinsel on trees, twinkly lights adorning homes, garland on mantles, and snowmen in yards. Naturally, our décor skews heavily toward Christmas themes, but each elf in the North Pole has their own way of showing their personality through design – a nutcracker that resembles a beloved house cat or ornaments collected on a trip that bring back cherished memories. These little variations say a lot about who we are and what we value.

NEA: How do you think that living an artful life can improve the well-being of your community? 

Claus: Arts and culture enrich our understanding of ourselves and people everywhere. In my line of work, we are fortunate to learn different crafts and customs in order to create the best possible gifts for children all over. Learning about these different places and appreciating their ways of life helps us better serve our wider community, and it also spreads cheer in our corner of the world. 

NEA: Is there a particular place in your neighborhood that is a creative touchstone for you? 

Claus: On clear evenings, I enjoy heading just a bit outside of our Christmas enclave into the wilderness of the North Pole to enjoy the Northern lights. I find them to be one of nature’s greatest artistic triumphs, and there is always something new to enjoy when watching them. 

NEA: What’s your favorite informal way or space to engage with arts and culture? 

Claus: I’ve been known to sing a song or two with the elves as we work and go about our day-to-day. Winters are long and difficult in the North Pole, and music brings us holiday cheer year-round. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry, “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, and “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande are some of my favorite tunes to singalong with.