LETTER TO MAKE YOUR OWN
I am writing you as a visual artist (self-employed small business owner) seeking assistance during the economic crisis created by the Coronavirus pandemic. Most self-employed artists deal directly with the public through art festivals or galleries - all of which have been cancelled or closed to "flatten the curve".
The Coronavirus pandemic has reduced our business to zero overnight. Most artists earn the majority of their annual income at a few key art shows in the Spring and Summer and will not be able to replace this revenue.
While the next phase of relief packages is being developed it is essential to include relief for artists, as you will be doing for other impacted people.
Specifically, artists need:
- Mortgage or rent relief for both their homes and/or studios
- Direct financial assistance in the short term roughly equal to the lost income from spring and early summer shows
- Low or no interest loans once the immediate crisis is alleviated
- Qualify for unemployment payments
Artists, as entrepreneurs, help support their suppliers, employees, hotels, restaurants and many other businesses and individuals. It is vital to these people and entities that artists be able to stay afloat financially in the short term.
I, like all artists am creative, and am diligently pursuing other revenue streams from Online sales; working my client list; engaging social media and more. But all the income from this season of art fairs/festivals and retail galleries is gone forever.
Artists realize that all Americans will be financially impacted by this crisis and we do not diminish their pain.
Artists, like other small business owners, need to be included in all relief packages.
