Young artists seem to support each other | Coronavirus

“One thing I saw when applying to the relief fund was that many of them were really out of reach for young people,” said Arnelood, who grew up in Fergus Falls. “They had requirements such as having to belong to a union, having 5-10 years of professional experience, or having to earn a certain percentage of their income from art. These were It’s all done by young people. I really don’t have it.”

Arnelaud decided to fill the gap himself and reached out to friends who had worked in past art organizations and internships across the country to establish the Emerging Artist Initiative (EAI). “This is basically a gathering of young professionals in the arts, very grassroots, and we are addressing the immediate economic needs of young and emerging artists and art managers,” he says. say. “There are hundreds of relief funds out there, but there wasn’t anything specifically for youth, so we created it.”

The EAI Relief Fund launched on July 1st, closed on midnight July 22nd, and aimed to raise $15,000 to support 30 budding artists and art managers in the United States. “There were 1,721 applications from young artists nationwide. I was expecting 500.”

To be eligible, apply for creative opportunities, internships, apprentices, or non-creatives within three years of receiving a degree or diploma under the age of 30 or within three years of starting your career as an art professional. Must be a lost artist. It is a job necessary to survive, and it has dire financial needs.

Arnold is worried that this is an opportunity to support the future of art, as it is the group of people most vulnerable to leaving art and making a balance. “This is a group of people who have been left behind in the last few months within the bailout community, bailout market, and arts community, and given to the Emerging Artists Initiative, the next generation of artists will put their art into practice. , They are financially sound to ensure that their career has a future and you are ensuring that they are not going to boost art,” he says.

While the EAI passes through the application, they continue to raise money and try to reach their initial goal of $15,000. At the time of writing, EAI has raised about $6,500. They accept donations through Facebook Fundraiser, PayPal, Venmo, and checks. “We’re just trying to reach the $15,000 goal right now, and if we do anything better, we’ll fund as many artists as we can,” says Aererud.

Donations are not tax deductible because EAI is not registered as a non-profit organization, but since EAI is entirely volunteered, almost 100% of the proceeds go to the artist. A small portion of the money is spent on maintaining the website (eaifund.com) and marketing activities. “It’s all entirely volunteered and we really promise to be able to fund these young artists.”

In addition to funding and financial support for artists, EAI seeks to expand support for young artists. Ar Andrew said that growing up in Fergus Falls prompted art to be viewed as a career possibility. Currently majoring in theater and management, I plan to graduate in December. “Growing up at A Center for the Arts and growing up in music and theater at (Fergus Falls High School) gave me a passion for art and confidence that art is a legitimate career,” he says. say. “Many people see art as a leisure activity and don’t really associate it with a legitimate background… and my experience at Fergus Falls gives me the confidence and encouragement to pursue art. It really helped me to pursue my career and my lifelong passion.”

Part of EAI’s mission is to spread its message and provide emerging artists with a platform to share their work. “We are resharing the work of young artists and working to be a young leader in institutional reform in the arts industry. One of the things the arts industry really conveys to young artists is that we Is financially struggling to be professionally successful, and we are trying to change that perception,” Aererud says. “We are trying to use this important moment in the industry that COVID-19 has impressed us, not because it is a turning point, but because it is changing the direction of the industry, especially the youth.