In the past week many of you have invited me into your homes, studios, and front porches for an intimate, livestream performance experience and…it was strange.
Artist: Cheryl Kellar
Here I am at home in my jammy-jams cheering you on with expertly selected emojis while attempting to recapture some sort of Sunday morning decency by replicating a beloved Table Mesa brunch experience. I made it as far as a coffee and a Little Debbie pastry.
I miss seeing you, artists, and the atmosphere you create for all of us.
I miss judging the Gen Z who thinks that the cover song you’re playing came from a 2018 Marvel movie soundtrack (It didn’t. It came out the year they were born by a band they will never learn to appreciate). I crave for the strange mingled scent of hairspray and Lysol when spending time with girlfriends waiting in line for the restroom for what we refer to as “Grandma Power Hour,” which is dancing at the bars from 9 PM – 11 PM. I can’t even make intentional eye contact with a stranger and confirm with a nod that this performance is awesome-sauce and, oh boy, is that your friend? Are you really friends? Okay. Wow.
Y’all are coming out in full force with the livestream and sometimes y’all are literally breaking the internet. (But seriously? Have a backup online streaming venue when Facebook decides to kick you off because Zuckerburg hasn’t figured out how to keep up with all the massive amounts of Facebook living going on.) We see you doing your thing and you can only see our names and comments.
How does it feel for you on the other side of that screen? Can you hear me “Woo’ing!” when I send you 10 heart emojis? How loud is it when there’s 500 of us viewing your content? And where the heck is your paypal info?
If there is one thing Tyra Banks has taught us, it’s that we’re rooting for you.
We are all rooting for you!
Artist: Cheryl Kellar
Artist: Cheryl Kellar
Y’all are coming out in full force with the livestream and sometimes y’all are literally breaking the internet. (But seriously? Have a backup online streaming venue when Facebook decides to kick you off because Zuckerburg hasn’t figured out how to keep up with all the massive amounts of Facebook living going on.) We see you doing your thing and you can only see our names and comments.
How does it feel for you on the other side of that screen? Can you hear me “Woo’ing!” when I send you 10 heart emojis? How loud is it when there’s 500 of us viewing your content? And where the heck is your paypal info?
If there is one thing Tyra Banks has taught us, it’s that we’re rooting for you.
We are all rooting for you!
Smize & Break the ‘Net,
S.
Resource Guide
Note: Dear Creatives, Artists, and Gig Workers, Thank you so much for your patience as we are working diligently to bring you the most accurate, instructional information and resources regarding the CARES Act. Please use the guide below to help you quickly assess which path is right for you. (click image to enlarge)
Local Opportunity
NWA Artist INC applications are now open! Artist INC is a cutting edge training seminar that addresses the specific business needs and challenges artists of all disciplines face every day. Limited to 25 participants per session, artists gather for one night a week for eight weeks to learn business skills specific to their art practice and apply those skills cooperatively with their peers. Artist INC Live NWA is supported in part by an award from Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, Arkansas Arts Council and individuals throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2020.
Funding Resources
Below’s a list of general funding resources for the individual artists, freelancers, and artists depending on contract work.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
For contemporary, experimental artists.
Rolling deadline.
Patreon Artist Fund
10 – 15 minute questionnaire stating income lost, how much you need, and how you will use the grant money.
Behind the Scenes
Anyone who has been hospitalized with Covid-10 and need financial assistance.
Soze Artist + Activist Relief Fund
Add your name to the waitlist so that you are contacted when funding becomes available again.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants
The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories.
Twenty Summers | Art Interrupted
- Raise funds for those in the arts world facing unmanageable financial losses due to Coronavirus
- Help artists promote new work without in-person events
- Stimulate and connect arts-lovers while they stay at home
Launches April 2.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
This fund is for US-based BIPOC artists and administrators.
First come, first serve.
The Artists’ Fellowship
The Artists’ Fellowship provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship. For current and documented emergencies, not anticipated.
Get an application in the first week of each month. They review monthly.
Freedimensional
Distress Services are intended for activists and culture workers in situations of distress as a result of their professional work. Distress situations may include verbal threats, imprisonment or legal persecution, violent attack, professional or social exclusion, or harassment. Services include a safe haven program, emergency grants, and referrals to other resources.
Freelancers Relief Fund
Freelancers Relief Fund assistance is open to any independent worker in the U.S. who has primarily earned income through freelance work for at least one year and has experienced a recent, sudden, and unforeseen hardship or loss of income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including those experiencing contract cancellations or loss of work due to social distancing measures, or those experiencing illness or caring for immediate family members infected with COVID-19.
Opens April 2.
