Like many areas, the arts have suffered greatly during the coronavirus pandemic, as everything from concerts to theatre to art exhibitions have been shut down.
But the Northampton Arts Council has stepped up to the plate to assist artists in need by raising $29,000 and reallocating $11,000 from its own budget for its COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund. The council will be distributing relief grants of $330 to 120 local artists.
The COVID-19 Artist Relief Grant was started in April for artists and cultural producers who have been financially impacted by the pandemic and who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of Northampton, Florence, and Leeds. The fund was designed in response to an artist input survey, in which 74 artists shared their concerns about loss of income due to pandemic-related cancellations.
“Artists and cultural producers play a vital role in making Northampton a great place to live and work. We want to ensure that members of our artistic community have the support they need to make it through this crisis and create beauty on the other side of it,” said Brian Foote, executive director of the Northampton Arts Council. “I’m grateful to the Northampton Arts Council Board for making the decision to allocate funds towards artist relief and to the community for an outpouring of support for local artists at this time.”
In addition to the new grant, the Northampton Arts Council has informed all 2019 grant recipients who were awarded funds during its ArtsEZ 2019 and local Cultural Council FY20 grant cycles that they have been automatically granted a six-month extension. The 2019 grant recipients may also complete the public
component of their project in an online format open to the public or use their grant as artist relief funds to offset any living expenses incurred during this difficult time.
The Arts Council reiterated its commitment to local artists in a statement that addressed how art can also “shine a light on underlying inequities in our world, and to inspire collective action and change for the betterment of each of us.”
The statement went on to say that historically, ”arts and artists have played an important role in difficult times of civil unrest and pandemic, and our current times prove no different. During this pandemic, people who are isolated at home and distanced from their communities, are turning to music, film, and other art forms for entertainment, connection and relief."
"artist" - Google News
June 11, 2020 at 10:18PM
https://ift.tt/2UwN0Fm
Northampton Arts Council awards grants to 120 local artists - masslive.com
"artist" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2FwLdIu
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Northampton Arts Council awards grants to 120 local artists - masslive.com"
Post a Comment