The Bay Area is home to one of the most vibrant arts communities in the world. Our musicians, comedians, DJs, painters, makers, actors, and other creatives are one of the major reasons our region is so culturally vibrant. Like so many people, they are taking a huge hit during this Covid-19 crisis. Given that bars, lounges, theaters, galleries, and other artist spaces are closed for the foreseeable future, many artists have $0 in income, and others are just scraping by.
As those in the arts and culture realm grapple with the effects of this pandemic and what it means for them financially, we all can find ways to help. The Bold Italic has rounded up some specific ideas to support Bay Area artists right now. This isn’t a comprehensive list; it’s simply a fraction of ways we can all band together to help. If you are a local artist in need or know of another way to help, add your info in the comments section below or tag us on Twitter or Instagram.
Help Bay Area DJs out of work
Are you into the club and DJ scene in the Bay Area? During this Covid-19 outbreak, most have lost all their gigs and therefore their source of income. In response, San Francisco’s DJ Franchise has created The Beat Goes On, an ongoing fund you can contribute to; it gives DJs without a safety net financial assistance in the form of a one-time financial stipend of up to $400 to help cover expenses. The fund has a goal of $20,000. “DJs are the musical lifeline to our communities and they need our help,” the site reads. “The beat must go on.”
Donate directly to local musicians
If you’re someone who would prefer to help someone directly with a donation rather than contributing to an organization or a larger fund, check out this list compiled by Dr. Rupa Mayra, faculty director at University of California San Francisco. (She’s also the guitarist and vocalist of local band Rupa and the April Fishes). She started a thread on her Facebook page for Bay Area musicians to add their Venmo or PayPal account so people can directly donate to artists affected. As of this week, more than 51 artists have added their details.
Support those in theater through the Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund
The Bay Area is the third largest theater center in the country, with more theater companies per capita than any other metropolitan area of the United States. Theatre Bay Area — a group that works to unite and promote these companies — has started a fund to benefit Bay Area arts practitioners suffering a loss of income due to Covid-19. The website encourages folks to make a tax-deductible donation and provides information on who to contact if you are a theater performer in need of emergency funds.
Give to classical musicians through the Bay Area Musician’s Relief Fund
Concert cancellations have left hundreds of classical musicians in Northern California out of work. Musicians Union Local 6, an SF-based organization representing 2,000+ musicians with 50 symphony and chamber orchestras, organized this relief fund to help artists pay their bills and get by. “When musicians don’t play, they don’t get paid,” Kale Cumings, president of Local 6, wrote on the fund’s page. “It’s frankly terrifying — we’re at the front end of this, and the effect on our members already looks to be financially catastrophic.” The fund specifically notes a group of local freelancers known as the Freeway Philharmonic, who drive across the state playing with 15–20 different orchestras that are now shut down. The goal of this GoFundMe is to raise $40,000.
Support local makers and folk art vendors of color
Makers of all kinds are losing revenue now that pop-ups and events are canceled. A great resource for finding a few to support is Hijas del Maiz, an Instagram account run by mother/daughter duo Joanna Garcia and Juliana Salazar. The pair is updating their Instagram story — calling it a “cyber pop up” — and tagging other vendors and makers of color with information on what they’re selling, how to place orders, and how to get them shipped directly to your home.
Support arts nonprofit Root Division
Root Division, a nonprofit in the Mission District that helps nurture artists and provides community arts education, has had to close its gallery and cancel spring classes. The organization is urging people to purchase art online from one of their 21 participating artists who are part of the current MFA Now exhibit, in addition to encouraging donations — as little as $50 provides art supplies for 10 underserved students.
Buy art directly from artists:
- Artsy is an online site hosting art from more than 100,000 artists that makes it easy to discover local artists by filtering by location.
- Art Attack SF is a local art gallery in SF’s Castro District with an emphasis on illustration, pop culture, and graffiti.
- 3 Fish Studios is an Outer Sunset shop offering affordable prints from independently run shops and studios.
