Due to an overwhelming number of applicants to Big Medium’s Artist Relief Fund, the individuals behind the Canopy art and office complex have pledged to match up to $10,000 in donations made by Sunday, July 12.
[Note: Here’s the donation link right here.]
Big Medium’s temporary relief fund was created by the local arts nonprofit in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 on the local art community, including postponed or canceled arts‑related events, loss of arts‑related work, or loss of supplemental income.
“Artists and our arts ecosystem are struggling at a time when art could not be more important,” says Big Medium’s Shea Little. “We are grateful to Canopy ownership and other partners and individuals who have come together at this moment to help address artists’ urgent needs. We call on our community to join us in supporting local artists so they may continue to create work and help all of us find meaning and inspiration during this crisis and beyond.”
Big Medium – the creative powerhouse that brings us the East Austin Studio Tour and the West Austin Studio Tour each year – is dedicated to championing and cultivating artists and the contemporary arts in Austin and across Texas, and they’ll be using the funds to distribute one‑time, unrestricted grants of $500, $1,000, and $1,500 to qualifying artists based on financial need. (Applications, which were due on June 29, were open to any artist or art group living or creating within a 15-mile radius of Austin.) The first round of funding will be announced on July 15 and distributed shortly thereafter, with additional rounds of grants distributed contingent upon available funds.
“Austin’s artist community is a crucial component of our vibrant city and they are in a time of crisis,” says Canopy developer Daryl Kunik. “Many of our artists were struggling to stay in Austin prior to this crisis, and without support we may lose them for good.”
In addition to Canopy’s pledge to match up to $10,000 in donations, this relief fund is made possible by generous support from Stand With Austin, Austin Community Foundation, and The MAW Gallery.
Note: All gifts made to the fund are fully tax‑deductible.
This article appears in July 3 • 2020.