At Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, we have always believed that the best ways to view art is in person. There is something about the personal experience that makes us slow down, feeling scale rather than reading dimensions, getting close to an artwork rather than zooming in on an on-screen photo. However, like many other industries, the arts community has moved online for the time being and we are experiencing art in new ways. As always, artists are taking on this challenge with new and creatives ways to support each other and the community is finding new ways to engage in art.
Support for Artists and Creatives:
Image credit - Social Distancing Gallery. Artwork by Kelsey Baker Call of the Void installation view.
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Mass Cultural Council has complied a list of over 30 funding opportunities for visual artists, musicians, writers, performers and more!
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Mass MoCA webinars - Assets for Artists has scheduled 10 webinars through the end of May with various speakers from business advice to fostering online arts community.
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Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 Relief for Individuals - Provides $1,000 grants to people who have lost income derived from their work as individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures in Massachusetts.
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Online exhibitions and Instagram - Open calls present opportunities to share your work with new audience. New Instagram accounts are popping up such as the Social Distance Gallery which focuses on exhibiting BFA & MFA Thesis shows.
Opportunities to Support the Arts
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Artist Support Pledge - An Instagram campaign and hashtag #artistsupportpledge started with the idea that generosity is contagious. The plan is simple: artists sell their work for no more than $200 each, anyone can buy the work. Once the artist reaches $1000 of sales, they pledge to buy another artist's work for $200! Make a pledge and post your work with the #artistsupportpledge Instagram: @artistsupportpledge
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Donate to the COVID-19 Boston Artist Relief Fund - The BCA is partnering with the City of Boston to create a Boston Artist Relief Fund, which will issue grants of $500 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19. Apply for a grant here by clicking here!
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Online art class - Some institutions (such as Concord Art) are offering online art classes! Learn a new skill while in quarantine and support your local artists.
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Buy Art! - If you are able to buying an artist’s work, it is the best way to support them now and always. Artists often have smaller works or works on paper that are available at lower prices points.
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Buy Masks from creatives such as these fashion masks made by Erin Robertson or check out this list of mask makers on SoWa Boston’s instagram.
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Tell someone you love their work! As the art world moves online, follow your favorite artists/galleries on social media, check out their websites and send a message.
Bonus: Events like the virtual Mass Art Auction supports artists as well as students! The funds generated from the auction go directly to student scholarships. Silent auction: April 10th - April 25th, Live Auction April 25th at 8 pm
Learn more here: massartauction.org/bid
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