Arts & Entertainment
How to Support Performing Artists In a Pandemic: A Year Later
Arts & Ideas brings back Arts on Call Program, directly supports artistic community
In 2020, after the onset of COVID-19, the entire arts and entertainment sector faced mass unemployment and uncertainty. How would musicians and other artists make money in a world with no live performances? There was only so much streaming could do.
In New Haven, CT, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas came up with a plan: Arts on Call. Modeled after Baltimore Creative Alliance’s Sidewalk Serenades program, Arts on Call would connect New Haven’s creative community directly with patrons, making anyone’s stoop a safe, socially distanced venue for a brief concert. This program paid nearly $10,000 directly to artists who performed for nearly 1500 New Haveners; performances happened everywhere from cul-de-sacs to medical centers.
A year later, the Festival is bringing back the program in 2021 and hopes to build on 2020’s success. Artist applications are open and the program will be curated this year to smooth logistics.
