Artisans, craftspersons, farmers, chefs, I love watching them work. Historic sites sometimes have live demonstrations of how things were done, metalsmiths, spinners, weavers, broom making, furniture, historic farming making are all fascinating to watch.
They are also often a financial loss for the venue, the cost of the demonstrations far exceeds the value of what is produced. The glass blower working in a demonstration shop, produces less at the same cost as a glassblower working in the back room without the distraction of an audience. So we see fewer of them. When we lived in Kentucky nearby Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, had a thriving demonstration program, until a new director mandated that they had to pay their way or go. The last time I was there one craftsman was working. Sad that.
Non-profit does not mean free to operate, or exempt from the economic realities of the world. That is why there are admission fees, memberships, fundraisers, and why it does really help when you buy that paper weight that was hand made there on site. Yet it would be 1/3 that price - made in China - sold at the souvenir shop around the corner. But the difference makes a difference in the artists being able to show their craft and entertain.
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