Two weeks. $8,000. 32 stipends of $250 each.
Boston Dance Alliance is so proud of having pivoted our operations to establish the BDA Dance Relief Fund to help Boston’s dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers cover urgent expenses during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The truth is, we were able to provide stipends to fewer than half of the applicants who requested help by our April 15 deadline.
If you or anyone you know can help us chip away at our $12,000 shortfall, please donate now Time is of the essence and even small donations will make a difference.
Prefer to send a check or do a wire transfer? Email dcash@bostondancealliance.org to arrange it.
We are grateful to The Boston Foundation, Aliad Fund, Robert and Iris Fanger, Dr. Larry Pratt, the Boston Dance Alliance Board, and individual dance-loving donors across our community for the donations that made this possible.
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Dancers in Massachusetts who have — or obtain — current membership in The International Association of Blacks in Dance, Inc. are eligible to apply for emergency relief grants. BDA confirmed that there is no limit for how long you have to have been a member.
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The news from the state and across the country is dire. With illness, deaths, and the need to take drastic measures to flatten the curve of exponentially growing contagion, the Covid-19 pandemic remains a clear and present threat.
The arts and culture sector has ground to a halt, and the economic impact is staggering.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council reports that, since the beginning of March, a quarter of a billion dollars ($264,799,746) in actual income (not projected revenue) and at least 15,000 jobs have been lost by arts organizations. Nationally, Americans for the Arts estimates nearly $5 billion in losses across the US’s 120,492 arts nonprofits.
Federal relief programs are backlogged and frustrating to deal with, but BDA encourages everyone to continue to apply for the unemployment, payroll protection programs, and business loans available to you. There is reason to think that another infusion of funds is coming.
(Hint: if you haven’t made enough money to file taxes, you are still eligible for a stimulus check!)
Do take the time to contact your state and federal representatives and thank them for their support of the arts sector to date — and encourage them to continue to include us in future benefit programs.
Understand that all of us — whether or not working artists, arts organizations, or people who feel that the arts are important to their lives — are still reacting to short-term needs. As we move ahead, all of us have to start strategizing for recovery in a changed environment.
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Webinars to Help You Take Your Next Dancing Steps…
APRIL 20, 2:30 PM A Conversation with the National Endowment for the Arts about CARES Act Funding
Dance/USA and The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) invite you to a conversation with the NEA Dance Department on COVID-19 NEA relief support. Learn about the NEA’s CARES Act funding, ask questions, and connect with your federal agency’s dance team! This online conversation is open to all regardless of membership status in Dance/USA & IABD. This session will be most relevant to those that are eligible for the NEA relief programs – please review the eligibility guidelines here.
APRIL 23, 1:00 pm Bootcamp for Digital Arts Marketing
This free Capacity Interactive livestream, focused on digital marketing while navigating the Covid-19 crisis, will feature four hours of presentations, Q+A interviews, and case studies from across the arts industry on leadership, marketing, fundraising, and wellness.
APRIL 25, 1:00 PM Why Every Dancer Needs to Think Like an Entrepreneur
Join Career Transition For Dancers, a program of The Actors Fund and Dance Business Weekly for a lively discussion with dance artists Chanel DaSilva and Nigel Campbel, Co-Founders of MOVE|NYC|, about what it takes to develop the mindset of a business owner—and why that perspective is useful for any dancer who sets out to create and manage a successful career, whether it’s performing, teaching or managing.
From Our Friends at Wooden Kiwi
Are you stuck at home and need a place to dance? We have an assortment of used Marley and remnants, as well as used Rosco SubFloor Panels (which are 42″ square but easily assembled into larger floors) and we are currently prototyping a “Zoom” floor which will be a 4′ square sprung panel finished either with a painted surface (for percussive dance) or Marley.
Email us at info@woodenkiwi.com. We are open on a limited basis, and can arrange contact free pick-up or delivery.
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The Yard Community is asking dancers to create and film (horizontally) a one minute movement sequence — seated, standing, or traveling, all interpretations valued and welcome — which they will post on their website. This week’s prompts are SHAKE, ROTATE, TILT, SWAY, LIFT Submit your responses to info@dancetheyard.org and enjoy the collective results!
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Get Ready to PARADE-in-PLACE
ECOLOGICAL CITY – Collaborative Art & Climate Solutions VIRTUAL PAGEANT
Create a nature inspired homemade costume celebrating the natural world, gardens, rivers and climate solutions and share a selfie video PARADING-in-PLACE from HOME!