Artists prove to be resilient in tough times

Creativity continues to thrive despite COVID-19

By now it’s a well known fact just how destructive the pandemic has been to the Arts and Entertainment industries. Concerts canceled, museums and galleries shuttered, even Broadway has gone dark.

The art world as we knew it has become another casualty of COVID-19’s endless siege.

Last month, The National Endowment for the Arts reported on unemployment rates for artists in the third quarter (July through September). Compared to 2019, the report shows a decline in employment by nearly a quarter of a million people. It shows a 9.3% drop in employment for Art Directors, Fine Artists and Animators; 52.3% for Actors; 54.6% for Dancers and Choreographers; and a 27.1% decline for Musicians, Singers, and Related Workers.

UNESCO also made its own predictions in December, estimating about 10 million jobs could be lost in the film industry. They go on to say a third of the world’s art galleries could cut their staff while the global publishing market could see a 7.5% decline. And with the cancellation of live music events, the music industry could lose an estimated $10 billion in sponsorships.

Sarah McKay, Executive Director of Orange County Arts Council, and Gretchen Weerheim, its Director of Communications, know firsthand just how devastating the pandemic has been for artists and arts organizations alike.

Financially, the Arts Council saw a decline in grants and donor support, as well as in-person fundraising – an average loss of between 45% to 65%, according to McKay.

But as Weerheim pointed out, “artists have always been resilient.”

And like so many of us, they, too, turned to Zoom for help.

Doing so allowed the Arts Council to continue their monthly Open Studio Visits, Artists Conversations with Industry, Members Meetups and Ten Minute Play Festival. In-person events which would have otherwise been canceled.

Ironically, lockdown restrictions have actually helped the Arts Council expand its reach and cultivate more interest in their work.

“Since we moved our Studio Visits to a virtual platform, we’ve had a total of over 500 attendees,” said Weerheim, “and this model will continue as a hybrid to allow for greater access and visibility for the artists here.”

Furthermore, as luck would have it, a grant from the Jarrett Markel Fund made it possible for the Arts Council to provide free virtual art classes to children ages 4 to 16 over the summer. Those interested can still find the lessons on the group’s YouTube channel.

Thanks to the accessibility provided by these virtual platforms, McKay said that membership seemingly doubled and engagement tripled. Weerheim added that providing Spanish language translations for their online videos also accounts for higher engagement.

“I used to believe that failure was not an option,” McKay said. “Then I worked with a mentor who taught me that you have to embrace failure as an option, otherwise there is no risk. Without risk, we can not grow.”

And taking a risk with online platforms has certainly paid off for the Arts Council.

Unfortunately, due to budget restraints, the Arts Council has lost funding from Orange County. However, they do remain as a line item on this year’s budget.

Likewise, the Cornwall Arts Collective, founded in 2018, faced its own set of challenges.

Cornwall photographer Rebecca Kashinski, chairperson, explained how the pandemic had a detrimental effect on the group.

“We’re a small group and had high hopes last year for monthly member meetups, more shows, a possible art walk in the spring or summertime, but unfortunately we were unable to do much of that.”

Last January, before the lockdown began, CAC was able to organize a members group show at 2 Alices coffee lounge in Cornwall-on-Hudson. This was followed in February with a meetup and group painting activity led by member artist Maureen Hart.

Once spring came around, Hart also hosted a couple of socially distant plein air painting meetups, which garnered barely a handful of attendees.

“With the pandemic there was a lot of concern, obviously, and we were all trying to be safe and not have large in-person gatherings,” Kashinski explained.

Then, in July, the group held a virtual exhibition on its website. Though it just wasn’t the same as an in-person event.

Try as they might, the arts group was having difficulty keeping afloat.

“I used to believe that failure was not an option. Then I worked with a mentor who taught me that you have to embrace failure as an option, otherwise there is no risk. Without risk, we can not grow.”

Sarah McKay, Executive Director of Orange County Arts Council

“The one thing I wish we did better in 2020 was have more of an online presence,” Kashinski reflected. “But, honestly, I think at first we figured it wouldn’t last as long as it did. We’d have several weeks or a month or two of a shutdown and by summer the Collective could start doing things again. As the shut down stretched longer, the group lost momentum.”

And with the continued restrictions on large gatherings, venues required to maintain low-capacity, the arts group struggled to find its place.

“We don’t have a physical location that is our own where the group can meet, or even just display work. We’ve relied on other venues to host shows for us and even our monthly meetings. When everything shut down, the only place we could ‘exist’ was online,” said Kashinksi.

So the group decided to put more effort into growing their online presence, further developing both their website and Instagram account. In fact, they’re already planning their first virtual members exhibition of 2021, titled “Renewal.”

“There are some great ideas in the works.” Kashinski goes on to explain what else CAC is doing to reconnect with the community and reach new people. For example, the group is publishing a small, full color zine featuring members’ artwork and information about the group. When Storm King Art Center reopens, they’re hoping to arrange group outings at the famous sculpture park. Also, when the days get warmer they’re hoping to plan some outdoor pop-up exhibitions (all with the appropriate COVID-19 precautions, of course.)

And while the pandemic canceled Highland Falls’ ArtWalk last year, organizers Cindy Modlin and Barbara “Charlie” Murphy assure us it’s coming back for 2021!

The Village of Highland Falls has already granted its approval and the Highlands Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring it.

Modlin said they are currently working with Collaborative Concepts, a non-profit founded in 1999 whose aim is to present and facilitate the exposure of professional art. Together, they are working to bring sculptors on board for this year’s event.

Murphy stated they expect about fourteen to seventeen new temporary installations, in addition to several permanent works already featured around town.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic, an opening reception is, understandably, out of the question. But that won’t stop visitors from enjoying their own self-guided, outdoor tours. The ArtWalk will even have its own app, courtesy of Eric Feinstein’s company, Otocast. Visitors will be able to download the app and listen to information about each sculpture and its creator.

The 2021 ArtWalk is expected to run from May through October.

So while the future still looks uncertain, creativity continues to thrive. It may take some time to “get back to normal” but artists have and continue to adapt to the challenges presented.

“The pandemic has forced artists and organizations to think differently,” McKay said. “Artists are good problem solvers, when push comes to shove. And the resilience in leadership the arts community has shown is an inspiration!”