Many of you have been tuning in to the weekly, open discussion style webinars with our Consultants where we ask you to submit your questions; questions on what you can be doing during this time, should you be marketing? Are creatives even working? And every so often, we get a question that makes us take a step back and realize that we are all in this together; that collectively, none of us enjoy this overwhelming feeling of helplessness.

So, what are artists doing right now to support our community? A variation of this question has come across the desks of our consultants for four weeks now and the answer is simple. There is a lot you can be doing to help and we’re going to break down just a few of our favorites that we’ve seen from past and present members to artists from all over the world.

As an industry leader, we are here to provide inspiration for when you’re feeling like you want to lend a helping hand to help support the community you love; the community you can’t wait to get back into.

Art for Assistants

Tim Tadder, former AXS member teamed up with Epson on an initiative titled “Art for Assistants”. Their main mission? To help support the ones who are always supporting others. So, what are they doing? They’re selling 100 limited edition, 11″ x 14″ prints of Tim’s United States of Purple – Red State series on Epson metallic luster, archival paper. Prints are selling for $100 but of course, donations of any size are encouraged, appreciated and welcomed.

“100% of the proceeds from the sale of these photography prints (except for the 3% that goes to Go Fund Me) will go to cover the living expenses of our team’s dedicated sidekicks, who no longer have the opportunity to work due to COVID-19. With Epson’s support of ink and paper, “Art for Assistants” will mobilize the world’s greatest image-makers to sell limited edition prints, to raise money for all the assistants heavily impacted by the lack of work during this time. When our fundraising closes we will pass the baton to 2 other photographers to keep the donations and the crews going.”

Find more info on their GoFundMe page.

COVID-19 Resources for the Creative Community

PHLearn, a small group of creative who decided to set forth a mission to make the world of creative education better, more affordable and more fun has created an incredible database of resources, updated daily to “help artists who are now struggling to afford groceries, housing, and to keep their ability to create alive.”

Some resources included are software, grants & funds, artist relief funds via Go Fund Me, online courses and webinars, etc.

“This is a painful and scary time for every member of the creative community globally. People are grappling with losses of all kinds and many of us have lost the stability that ties our lives together. In moments of crisis, the kindness of the creative community can always be counted on.”

To learn more about the resources available to you, head over to their site to see the full list.

The #upsideofdowntime Challenge

Kate T. Parker, current AXS member is not just a photographer. She’s a mom, a NY Times bestselling author of #heartofaboy and @strongisthenewpretty and she’s also the mastermind behind the #upsideofdowntime challenge. What’s that you ask? Kate was looking for ways to make a difference (as we all are) but especially for kids who maybe aren’t getting food since they are out of school and her local food banks are out of food (crazy!). Want to participate? Here’s how:

• Post a video of one thing you’re doing to thrive while at home
• Make it something funny, meaningful, or silly
• Make us laugh, we need it
• It can be that you’re learning to cook, making up a dance, dressing up your dogs, whatever!
• Make the video less than 30 seconds and, in the video, nominate three other people to do the same
• We ask that you consider donating to @nokidhungry
• Tag your three friends, and @nokidhungry and post with the #upsideofdowntime #cancelhunger @strongisthenewpretty

Check out Kate’s Instagram and Facebook for more info on how you can get involved in the #upsideofdowntime challenge.

Artist Support Pledge

Due to the current state of the world, UK based artist Matthew Burrows took it upon himself to do something to help alleviate the stress that many artists have found themselves dealing with due to the loss of work. Cue the Artist Support Pledge.

“The concept is a simple one. Artists post images of their work, on Instagram which they are willing to sell for no more than £200 (approx. $250 USD) each (not including shipping). Anyone can buy the work. Every time an artist reaches £1000 (approx. $1,250 USD) of sales, they pledge to spend £200 on another artist/s work”

How can you get involved?

• Post your work with the #artistsupportpledge
• Follow the hashtag to see everyone else’s work
• Keep updated on new opportunities and announcements by following @artistsupportpledge on Instagram
• Repost and tell your friends & colleagues

Feel free to drop some of your favorite initiatives you’ve seen that are helping the creative community! We will continue to update this post with new ways to support the industry.