Appreciating the arts and culture in our county
As we all shelter in place, except for those providing or supporting essential services (and we thank you), we have the privilege of engaging in arts and/or cultural activities we didn’t have time for in our frenzied lives. We can paint, draw, write poems and stories, tell stories to others, take photos, sing, listen to music, read a book, watch movies or stream series, play music, act out plays with our families, well you get the idea. But what about the artists, performers, dancers, musicians, writers, and other creators who depend on income from sharing their gifts?
At the Ink People Center for the Arts, we are in touch with hundreds of those artists in the Humboldt communities. Many artists make their living from selling visual artworks, playing music, performing comedy or otherwise performing at local venues, teaching classes, etc. Now all those venues are closed, gallery exhibitions are cancelled, and in-home classes are too risky. Many artists barely make enough money to support themselves and their families on a good day.
Ink People Board President, Leslie Castellano, saw cries for help starting to appear on Facebook and suggested doing a Facebook fundraiser to help artists ease the pain a little by offering $50 gift cards to artists who have lost income. We met with Administrative Director Monica Topping and decided to act. So far we have received over 50 applications from artists and the fundraiser has raised over $5000 in a week. We thank all who gave so much and are fortunate to live in such a generous community. This is only the start, though.
Don’t forget the nonprofit and for profit businesses (yes, nonprofits are businesses, they just have a double bottom line: profit to keep growing their mission and public benefit). The museums, theaters, galleries, recording studios, graphic design studios, yarn and fabric shops, seamstresses and tailors, and many more are feeling the pinch.
In the Ink People’s DreamMaker family of 111 projects, three children’s theatrical projects (Main Stage Youth Project, Allstar Theater Arts, and Children’s Theater Humboldt) have had to cancel their upcoming performances, several of which were sold out. Those tickets will have to be refunded inflicting big losses after they have already spent scarce funds on costumes, scenery, staff and more. Trajectory, which serves adult artists with disabilities has had to close their 3 studios, though they can still offer one-on-one in-home art support. They employ 15 artists, only a few of which can do in-home support. English Express, which teaches English to language learners, has been able to teach remotely, but not all of their students have internet access. And our MARZ Project, which offers a free, safer, creative space to at risk youth aged 12-26 has had to close. One of its most popular offerings, nutritious snacks, can’t be delivered online.
This is a moment of change. Massive change. We are being forced to slow down, recalibrate, and remember the things that really matter in life. When we are able to gather together again, it will be a celebration made joyous through the arts. Perhaps DreamMaker project Humboldt SINGS will lead us in rounds of community song and rejoicing.
This is a moment of change. Massive change. We are being forced to slow down, recalibrate, and remember the things that really matter in life. When we are able to gather together again, it will be a celebration made joyous through the arts.