HURRICANE KATRINA
Arts Communities Respond to Crisis in the Gulf
The arts community came together after the events of 9/11, so it is not surprising that once again, artists are organizing across the country to help their own communities, as well as those directly affected by Hurricane Katrina.
In times of tragedy, many often immediately turn to the arts to work through myriad emotions and express or understand them through poetry, painting, song, dance; as well as to bring communities together to share in our humanity and to garner support through benefit concerts, art auctions, and other special events. Our local cultural community is pulling together to contribute to the relief effort through jazz walks, food drives, CD sales and more. Their passion and generosity is to be admired.
It is also important for us to remember that those who have been impacted by the storm and flooding are not faceless victims. While many have the same needs - food, clothing and shelter - artists and arts organizations in the Gulf Coast area have also been displaced, and treasured cultural venues have been flooded out. Bodies of work from a lifetime of artistic creation - gone. And their tools in which they could create new work to earn a living - washed away. Historical artifacts and performance spaces - completely engulfed in water.
The cultural community in the southern region, as well as national and statewide organizations, has been working to ensure these individuals and organizations receive the special assistance they may need as they begin to deal with their losses and work to rebuild their lives. For more information on these efforts, visit the Americans for the Arts website at www.americansforthearts.org. There, you will find an ever-growing number of billboard postings and a list of resources to give and receive support. To find out what you can do, see the information posted below.
- Jennifer Armstrong
Executive Director
40 North/88 West
jennifera@40north.org
What You Can Do
- Visit the Americans for the Arts website at www.americansforthearts.org for comprehensive postings and resources on giving (and receiving) support.
Click here to read a letter about the relief effort, from Americans for the Arts president Robert Lynch. Visit the Urbana Park District's Meadowbrook Jazz Walk on September 16th and contribute to their Hurricane Relief collection as you enjoy the remarkable beauty of The Wandell Sculpture Garden - while being serenaded by some great local jazz musicians! This free sunset event, brought to you by Verde Gallery, will feature a selection of jazz soloists and small combos along the paths of the park. 6-7:30 p.m. (Rain date Sept. 17). Click here for more info.
Drop in and dance at Barfly when this downtown Champaign lounge hosts a weekend-long hurricane relief effort this Friday and Saturday, September 16th and 17th. More details available here.
Do you have or know of plans for other fundraising/hurricane relief efforts? Please send your information to Steven Bentz, 40 North Program and Information Assistant, at sbentz@40north.org.