For Artists/Creatives & Maybe Others? Navigating Covid-19. (4.14.20)
My husband (artist Chris Craft) and I (like most of the creative economy/artists/creatives) have been hit particularly hard. All things considered, it could be much worse.
I've been following (& applying for) some of the relief efforts in the arts/creative fields and want to share. (FEEL FREE TO SHARE ANY OF THIS WITH OTHERS:)
For my creative friends, please use this time to continue creating, tweak your business, and work on some good habits. I know it's tough. (I've been a self-employed artist - married to an artist - for over 13 years. Some of these years have been VERY lean.)
Several thoughts... (things that have been working for me)... 1) Start and end each day with a gratitude list. I promise you that many ARE worse off than you. (Also great to pray for others:)
2) Use incrementalism to accomplish more. I don't love updating my website and taking images of my glass. But, I can do a little bit at a time. On days I don't have much energy or desire to work in the studio, I go out and do something for an hour. (When other artists wonder at how I have accomplished what I have… honestly, this is something I learned many years ago. And, it’s worked well for me/my practice.)
3) Reward yourself and take care of yourself. One guilty pleasure is watching sitcoms. I watch my favorites to laugh and stop working. About nine months ago, I realized I need to take better care of myself and I started exercising with a couple of PBS programs. (I only do it a few times a week, but it's helped so much.)
4) Whatever you’re doing, also continue your business of art practice!! Look for new gigs/opportunities... stay in touch with collectors/supporters. Say thank you. Let them know what you're up to. Post on social media. (People LOVE to see an artist's process!)
There are some things that may never be the same. But, we will get back to normal.
1) NCAC has an excellent resource guide for artists.
2) C3Lab in Charlotte, NC has a fabulous resource for artists too. (FYI, many of these will overlap and are being updated as they come about. However, I’m trying to share with folks what is good and helpful:)
IF YOU’RE IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY, ARTS & SCIENCE COUNCIL HAS CREATED the Mecklenburg Creatives Resiliency Fund TO help creative practitioners.
3) Arts NC is ANOTHER amazing resource!!
https://artsnc.org/advocacy/covid-19-resources/training-videos-resources/
4) THIS LINK BELOW IS TO APPLY for Artist Relief — an initiative that includes immediate, unrestricted emergency funding of $5,000 for individual artists of all disciplines, and resources to help those in need due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
https://artistrelief.submittable.com/submit
5) Also HIGHLY recommend SUNLIGHT TAX. She’s an artist and certified accountant. Check the following link for her webinars: https://www.sunlighttax.com/covid-help-webinars
6) Finally, one more LINK for Artwork Archive’s (Same organization as created video above.) excellent pdf with info from above video AND SO MUCH MORE:) I really recommend getting on their regular email list. (Of course, I benefit from ALL these organizations and am able to keep up via email. Best of all, email lists are FREE and you can unsubscribe later;)