Coronavirus: Paid sick days for artists?

Some of my artist friends can’t afford sick days — or recovery time, for that matter.

Artist Sarah Meranda of Magpie Mouse Studios (photo from her Instagram feed)

For example, my jewelry artist friend Sarah Meranda usually earns a living from art events and gift shops that stock her work. But many of those events have been postponed or canceled, and other venues are temporarily closed, due to a ban on large public gatherings. Like a lot of artists, she’s concerned about covering bills for the immediate future. I’ve found two potential resources to help artists like her — direct EMERGENCY HELP.

Seattle-area aid

Author & artist relief fund organizer Ijeoma Oluo

Seattle “writer, speaker, and Internet Yeller” Ijeoma Oluo is raising money through GoFundMe to help local artists who’ve been hit hard by events and gigs canceled due to COVID-19. The fundraiser page says her team has already sent financial help to at least 60 artists so far. From the GoFundMe page:

This fund is aimed at helping those in the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19, with priority given to BIPOC [Black & indigenous people of color] artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists - but we will try to help as many artists with need in Seattle as we can.

• If you’re an artist: take a short survey to tell the artist relief fund what you need. Application is here.

• If you want to help an artist: PLEASE DONATE NOW. Find that page here.

Artist aid from outside Washington state

The Rauschenberg Foundation is partnering with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) to provide the Rauschenberg Emergency Grants. Funding is available to American visual artists, media artists and choreographers. From the NYFA website:

The fund provides one-time cash grants of up to $5,000 to cover expenses caused by one-time, unexpected medical emergencies. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to: hospital and doctor bills (including insurance co-pays), tests, physical/occupational therapy, prescription drugs specifically for the emergency medical condition, and emergency dental work.

• If you’re an artist: APPLY NOW. Grants will be awarded beginning in late May. Find the application info here.

• If you want to add to the fund: Donate at the NYFA website. The page allows you to instruct NYFA on where you want the donation to go.

Sarah (right) and Katie Votava at the 2019 Fresh Paint art festival in Everett, WA

These resources don’t replace health insurance, of course — but many artists can’t afford insurance on a good day, let alone during a pandemic. Even if their online shops are thriving, very few artists can support themselves through that one income source. If you want to support them in a tangible way, please go to the above websites now and help an artist take a much-needed break.

How to survive the current plague

Bravo to those who braved coronavirus exposure to attend the opening of “20/20 Vision” art exhibit! I was surprised (and relieved) to see collectors and artists crowding into the gallery for First Thursday.

But I’m also a little concerned about the people I didn’t see at the art walk. So here are my totally unscientific, Top Two Tips for surviving the current plague, whether you’re making or appreciating the art.

First: Artists can’t live in ghost towns.

Artist Susan Derrick gets a better look at “They Don’t Really Feel Pain” by Lisa Myers Bulmash

As you see above, art galleries are still open, and so are many artist studios. They rely on foot traffic, to some degree. If you’re still feeling pretty healthy (no flu-like symptoms, not coughing or sneezing into your elbow), go out. Go to the next art walk or performance, whether you’re in a spending mood or just showing up to support a friend.

Second: Fill your cart from home.

Maggie Jiang’s paintings at Koplin del Rio Gallery, Pioneer Square

The lovely thing about collecting art online is that there’s no risk of COVID-19 infection. It’s just you and the germs you’re already carrying. (Psst: wash your hands, kids.) Try browsing your favorite gallery or artist website and see if there’s an artwork you just can’t live without. Email/ direct message/ text the artist or gallery and arrange to pick up the work when you’re feeling better.

And in case I forgot to say it earlier: WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER. The longer you stay healthy, the more art events you can attend.

The "One" reason to visit Ellensburg in April

What’s worth the drive over the hill and through the woods to Ellensburg? I’ll give you a hint…

Gallery One is hosting my upcoming solo art exhibit! “Never the Same Book Twice” will open on April 3rd, in tandem with the group book arts show, “Between the Fold.” Altered books also take precedence in my exhibit — both new and existing work — debuting in the mezzanine gallery.

Seems like everyone has visited Ellensburg except me… so I’ll need a few friends to show me around. Any suggestions of restaurants that would welcome a rampaging pack of art nerds? Let me know here, on Facebook or on Instagram!