Dear Friends and Supporters:
I hope you are all adjusting, as well as can be expected, to our new normal.
At the Arts Council of Rockland, we seek to be a source of support for the arts community. We are hearing anecdotally from artists whose work has come to a halt and are without any income. We also know many are at home with extra time on their hands and have the time to focus on their art.
Now feels like the right time to launch a project we’ve been working on – the creation of our Artist’s Support Fund. This small fund was established as a way to provide funds to support artists’ ongoing practice. We know that sometimes even just a small infusion of funds (to purchase a piece of equipment, a special tool, or certain supplies), could be the thing that can bring work from concept to execution.
The arts always have the power to comfort, bring people together, provoke questions, provide answers, make us laugh, make us cry. NOW MORE THAN EVER, we need the arts. Once we found ourselves amidst this pandemic, immediately, our social media feeds were flooded with artists offering their gifts to strangers as a way to connect and to bring joy to, or at least a diversion from, this new reality in which we find ourselves. For some, the arts are a lifeline. At the Arts Council of Rockland, we are committed to ensuring that the arts endure in Rockland, ALWAYS.
We find ourselves in unusual circumstances. Many are looking for ways to be helpful and productive. If you find yourself in a position to help, I am asking you to consider supporting the Artist’s Support Fund. Simply put, the more money we raise, the more support we can provide.
If you are an artist who could benefit from a small bump to help bring an idea to fruition, review the Artist’s Support Fund guidelines and see if you are eligible. Deadline for submission is May 1. Awards are expected to be made around July 1.
Whether you are creating and sharing, supporting with a donation, or just lending support to your neighbors, thank you for being a part of our community.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Baun
Executive Director