Beyond the Bucket Mentality

Have you ever felt a sharp tug from behind just as you started to climb? It happens more than you think in these quiet Northern towns.

The "crabs in a bucket" phenomenon is a weirdly accurate metaphor for how we sometimes treat each other in small creative circles. When a single crab tries to crawl out of the bucket to find freedom, the others reach up and pull it back down, ensuring no one ever leaves. In our world, this looks like gatekeeping resources, gossiping about a peer’s new gallery show, or feeling a twinge of resentment when someone from the lakehead actually makes it big. It’s a scarcity mindset born from the fear that there isn’t enough room for all of us to thrive. But the bucket is an illusion. The shore is wide, the forest is endless, and the sky in Northwestern Ontario is bigger than any cage we build for ourselves.

When you’re stuck in that cycle, your nervous system is constantly on edge. You start viewing every other artist or local collective as a threat to your own survival. This is where ACT—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—becomes a literal lifesaver. Instead of fighting the feeling of jealousy, we acknowledge it. We say, "Okay, I'm feeling insecure because my friend got the grant I wanted." We don't judge the feeling; we just watch it pass like a cloud over Lake Superior. Once the noise dies down, we can refocus on our values. Why are we making art? Is it to be the "best" in a town of five thousand people, or is it to express something honest?

The arts offer us a bridge out of this crab-pot trap through radical collaboration. Small organizations in the North don't have the luxury of being enemies. When we share equipment, co-host workshops, or just show up for someone else’s opening night without an agenda, we break the bucket. Community-based art projects shift the focus from the individual climb to a collective growth. We start seeing that one person’s success actually builds the infrastructure for the rest of us. It’s about creating a scene rather than just a resume.

Try this tiny exercise next time you feel that pull-down instinct. Pause and take three deep breaths, noticing the weight of your feet on the floor. Ask yourself: "Does their win actually take anything off my canvas?" Usually, the answer is a hard no. In fact, their win might just be the permission slip you needed to try something even weirder. Kindness in the arts isn't just about being nice; it's a strategic move for our collective mental health. It’s about choosing to be the one who gives a boost instead of a tug.

We’re living in a time where digital isolation is high, but our physical proximity in these rural spaces is our superpower. Instead of looking sideways to see who is getting ahead, look inward to find your flow, then look outward to see who needs a hand. The bucket only exists as long as we keep pulling each other back into it. If we all start climbing in different directions, the walls eventually fall away. Let’s build something that looks less like a trap and more like a trail.

Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation

Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we're exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.

Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.

Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities at Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.