Available $$$ for Virginia Arts and Humanities Organizations

More Than $1 Million Available for Virginia Arts and Humanities Organizations Struggling Due to COVID-19

Virginia’s state-wide arts and humanities councils will receive more than $1 million in federal funds designated for emergency relief to arts and cultural organizations affected by the COVID-19 health crisis, according to a joint statement by Virginia Humanities and Virginia Commission for the Arts.

The funds are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by Congress in March. The $2 trillion aid package includes $75 million each for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a portion of which will be sent to state and territorial arts and humanities councils to redistribute to nonprofit organizations in need.

Application information and eligibility requirements are now available on VirginiaHumanities.org and Arts.Virginia.gov. The deadline for museums, historic sites, and educational and cultural institutions to apply to Virginia Humanities is April 30 and the deadline for arts agencies to apply to the Virginia Commission for the Arts is May 8.

Virginia arts and cultural organizations can also apply directly to the NEH and NEA for aid of up to $300,000 (NEH) and $50,000 (NEA).

MORE DETAILS, ONLINE HERE

The Coronavirulization of the American Art Scene

National impact of COVID-19 on the arts is $4.8 billion... and rising! 

According to a study by Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the economic impact of the Wuhan Flu Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the arts and culture sector is significant, with over 42.3 million lost attendance and close to 27,000 people furloughed or laid off from jobs with cultural organizations.

From Margery Goldberg

A note from DMV art icon Margery Goldberg - click anywhere on the below to see some great ideas:

Dear Zenith Friends,

 Mother's Day. What do Mothers want the most? To see their children happy, healthy, successful, fulfilled, engaged in life.They want grandchildren, but probably should not ask when!

 They want to be with their family no matter how large or small. Now this is the hard part given our current situation. Some cannot be together now. Even though in some families they have not spent this much time with their children in a long time. They say there will be a surge of homeschooling now that people have the handle on it.  

 Mothers are all ages. Our children are mothers, our sisters and cousins are mothers, and even some fathers have to be mothers!

I believe that being a mother is as much of a state of mind as a physical actuality. I am a stepmom to wonderful men; they have families and I have grandchildren. Being a mom does not mean you had to give birth to them. If that were true then everyone who gives birth would be a great mom. Fortunately, most are fabulous moms. Some over-mom and they hover, and as a dear friend says, you give them roots so they grow wings.  

 The preeminent mother of them all is Mother Nature. She is all wise and she is in control. If anyone had any doubt, these last few months should leave no doubt in your mind. We will either abide by her demands or we will perish.  

 What does your mother, daughter, sister or any woman that means something to you want?

Something personal, no matter how small. Zenith is here to help you with that. Whether it be a piece of jewelry, a work of art, a gift certificate so she can pick out her own. How about a commissioned portrait of Mom or the entire family? Today you can see a number of those artists to choose from. Hubert Jackson, Davis Morton or Bradley Stevens have very distinctive styles, so you have a lot to choose from.

 It is time to show your mom or any mom in your family some appreciation. They are doing more than ever.

The Coronavirulization of the Self Portrait - Call for Artists!

The Corona Portrait Project invites submissions of self-portraits created in response to the current pandemic. Accepted entries will be exhibited online and select entries will be featured. Submissions accepted on a rolling basis, do not wait to submit. See website for submission instructions. 

No Entry Fee. 

Details: http://www.coronaportrait.com/

From the DC Art News files

The above photo was taken in 2011 at the home of a DMV art collector who threw a nice book opening party for my 100 Artists of Washington, DC book.  In the pic's background we see Andrew Wodzianski, Tim Tate, Pat Goslee, me and Victor Ekpuk's arm. In the foreground, Chawky Frenn is hugging the late, great Lida Moser!

Wear a mask!

Please show respect to our essential workers every day during this Coronavirulization of the planet pandemic by wearing a mask!

http://www.ufcw.org/coronavirus/shopsmart/

Call for photographers

Deadline: May 31, 2020 

The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco has launched a grant for emerging photographers, aged 18-25, to support the creation of photographic images around the themes of conservation, science and sustainability of the natural world. They are looking for proposals for multi-media Projects around the theme of conservation, science and sustainability of the natural world. 

No Entry Fee. 

Details: http://bitly.com/2VoTNlc