Most of us know at least one brilliant artist. A painter, sculptor, writer, actor or musician. Someone who perhaps has sacrificed a steady paycheck for the satisfaction of creating within their own vision, folks who are true contributors to our culture. Art influences society by transforming opinions, instilling values and rendering experiences across space and time. Research has shown art affects our primary sense of self. The arts are often considered to be the repository of a society’s collective memory.
COVID-19 has brought a standstill to the gig economy and the way most artists get paid for their creativity. Think about it, all the concerts, art festivals, museum exhibits, and theater performances have been canceled or indefinitely postponed. The freelance economy of artists has been blown to smithereens and now great suffering will likely begin.
Unless we mobilize and do something about this burgeoning catastrophe, our most brilliant archivers of culture will endure greatly, and most likely take longer to recover as a result. The other day a possible solution emerged as I was reading a post from a talented colleague of mine. My artist friend is a magnificent filmmaker, actor, and writer. She embodies creativity in a way that is infectious. And, she has stayed true to her art. In parallel, she is raising an extraordinary teenager as a single mom. Her post was a humble call for help, and I responded organically with a focus on diplomacy.
I reached out and asked her if I could pre-pay her for some writing projects. Then I put a few bags of groceries together with duplicates of nonperishable essentials that both my husband and I had purchased without checking in with each other. I sanitized everything, packed up my car which had not left the driveway in weeks, cajoled my teenage daughter into taking a ride with me, and together we delivered the packages to my colleague’s home.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, my colleague and I talked about art and parental survival standing across from each other with a myriad of dandelions in between. It felt incredible to reach out and offer assistance in a way that made sense to me. On our ride back home, my daughter and I discussed how cool it would be if every family reached out to one artist, checking in with them and making sure they have the support they need. This was the birth of the Help One Artist campaign.
So with this call to action, I am proposing that those of us that have the means, and some extra resources on hand, reach out to your favorite artist. The one who you know is subject to a gig economy. The one who you could purchase some art from, pre-pay for a performance or song, contribute to materials fees or just stock their pantry with some much-needed items.
Together, let’s bolster our artists and preserve and protect our culture at the same time.
With a love of all that is art,
-grace
NOTE: I am looking for stories on how you and your loved ones are embracing the HELP ONE ARTIST campaign. I will collect these stories and share them through my blog and hopefully through additional media sources, especially media sources that are local to the communities of where the story originates. This could turn into something extraordinary, become part of this movement and let’s kick COVID butt together! Please comment below or send me an email to gracealfiero@gmail.com. Stay safe and healthy out there!
I love this concept and know a few artists in this area that are truly struggling with keeping up with the everyday expenses
Thanks Danielle! Please share with your network, let’s rally around those Asheville Artists!
Thank you for thought provoking article.
Thank you Michelle! I hope you and your family are doing well!
Wonderful concept to shed light on those who bring so much joy to our lives by sharing thier talent with us.
Thank you Ginny! Please share with your network about the HELP ONE ARTIST movement and please send me stories when you hear of them!
I am helping an artist friend secure funding to keep their business alive in a time where social distancing has put a necessary stop to their ability to make a living doing what they love. I love theatre and the arts I would feel horrible if the small businesses that have helped shape this beautiful, creative town go bankrupt due to the closures. We need to keep the arts alive. Not just after restrictions and lifted, but now.
Lori! I totally agree! I’ll be reaching out to you in the future to collect more details about this story if you are willing. Thank you so much for your reply. Please share the HELP ONE ARTIST movement with your network.
Such a worthy cause! Thanks for spearheading this effort!
Thanks, Christine, Please help me keep sharing this idea!
Love this idea! You’ve made me think about how I can support my artist colleagues & friends (thanks for getting my brain going on this)…..I’m reaching out to an artist friend today to see if I can order some things that I’ve been mulling over for a while. ❤️
Way to go Heather! That’s the spirit! Please share your story with me when you get connected with your artist-friend!
Stay safe out there!
I have several links to share about what is moving and shaking on the arts front in the Bluegrass State- people supporting artists and artists supporting people.
Actors Theater- Buy Tickets for live streaming
https://www.actorstheatre.org/direct/
Kentucky Performing Arts- Free streaming of live performances
https://www.facebook.com/pg/kentuckyperformingarts/posts/
Art Teacher beautifies hospital sidewalks
https://www.wlky.com/article/art-teacher-transforming-hospital-sidewalks-into-art/32117157
Special Covid19 project, Lift Up Lou, and Louisville Arts Network collaborate
https://louisvilleartsnetwork.org/home
Louisville Orch conductor does popup outside downtown nursing home
https://www.newsbreak.com/kentucky/louisville/lifestyle/0Oa9CDq8/louisville-orchestras-teddy-abrams-performs-surprise-pop-up-concerts-throughout-city
Lexington KY – Ways in which the CARES Act will be distributed throughout the art community
https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/performing-arts/article241922036.html
Louisville Orchestra Teddy Abrams recording and sharing music on FB
https://wfpl.org/abrams-louisville-artists-network-emerges-from-coronavirus-isolation/
Thank you Tara! This is great info and plenty for me to check out! You are certainly plugged into your cultural community!
Great idea to help someone who contributes to our culture.
Artists are so important to our history!
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks so much for your comment and stay safe! Please share this blog with your network and let me know of any stories in your community!
Love this idea amazing Grace Anne! I am supporting a local artist who is the founder and owner of dazzling driftwood in Florida. I am purchasing her creations and sharing her beautiful and unique designs, as well as gifting others. She has had to close her shop and depending on online sales and support. Dazzlingdriftwood.com.
Oh, Sue, with everything that you are going through, I am amazed and so grateful that you found time to support a local artist. Thank you so much for this story! I may be reaching back out to you to collect more info, I just don’t want to bother you. So take your time responding to my emails! Hang in there dear friend! XOXO
One artist can make such a difference. You are that artist for me, Grace Anne! And your influence created a safe space for my mini to follow her path into the next generation of artists. She still searches and reaches to find her artistic path. But I have faith that she will plot that path and light her way with a creativity far beyond what I can imagine because she is art and love and our future.
I love this. I am supporting a musician who makes his living that way. You are so generous with your ideas and efforts.
Thank you Sara! I love that you are supporting a musician! I would love to hear more of that story at some point!
Be well and safe out there! XOXOXO
What a fabulous opportunity! At your suggestion, Erin and I are early Christmas shopping from a few of our favorite artists in Black Mountain.
Chris! This is a great idea! Thank you so much for commenting! Can’t wait to see what you gather! XOXO
I have asked my tattoo artist if I can pay her to work on my next design while we can’t see each other physically. We had to cancel an appointment, so I thought this a good way to support her in the meantime.
Corinne! This is an excellent example! Thank you for sharing! What a great idea! XO
This is brilliant, Grace Anne. I appreciate the various ideas in the comments, and you’ve motivated me to reach out to several friends who are artists to see how I can help. How do we sign up to receive ongoing updates from your blog?
Ohhh, your comment Lise has made me so happy! I will make sure that you get updates to this campaign and will put you on the list to receive updates! Keep me updated on any stories and BE WELL! XOXO