The Amp

Artists and cultural organizers have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists who count on live events for their income have seen tours, performances, openings, and events cancelled all over the world. Cultural strategists collaborating with artists on social justice campaigns have also seen their plans and projects halted to a standstill. 

In recognition of the hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the generosity of the Pop Culture Collaborative, The Opportunity Agenda is pleased to provide emergency assistance stipends for artists and cultural strategists. Members of The Opportunity Agenda’s Creative Change Network as well as others who meet the criteria below are encouraged to apply.

• Application: COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Stipends for Artists and Cultural Strategists
• Additional COVID-19 Resources for Artists: List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak (Creative Capital); April Opportunities and COVID-19 Relief Grants (Hyperallergic); Opportunities for D.C. Area Artists (East City Art); COVID-19 Resources from the Artist Organization Field (Common Field);

Artists and cultural strategists have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by organizing in new ways while following social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Street art, balcony concerts and chants have been organized in support of essential workers or community needs made more stark by this crisis. Other artists have found new ways to bring people together by using technology in their practice, by mobilizing craft and maker groups to make protective equipment. Still others provide solace by reading poetry in livestreams or simply creating art that looks forward to a better post-pandemic world.  

• How LA's Street Artists Are Responding To Coronavirus (LAist)
• Lyrics for a Rooftop/Balcony #demonstratingbecausewecare Demonstration (Instagram @andrea_haenggi)
• Art world is stepping up to help out the US’s overwhelmed medical workers (Hyperallergic) 
• Minneapolis costumers sew to save lives, making coronavirus face masks (StarTribune)

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the systemic inequities in our country’s incarceration and detention policies. Because there have been an increasing number of infections within the confined spaces of many jails, prisons, and detention centers, it is more important than ever to continue advocacy for justice reform and the release of people who have not had due process.

We have new messaging recommendations to ensure that your communications on this pressing issue is rooted in shared values.

Below is a list of upcoming communication hooks as well as events that you can use to reach new audiences and inform existing ones. Click on each link for messaging tools and hashtags. Note that many plans are in flux as communities address the coronavirus crisis. Check parter websites for news on how to participate and support events remotely. 

Events and Cultural Hooks:

• NAACP and BET host "Unmasked: a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Series" on the health, economic and social impact of the pandemic on the African American community: April 8 
• Justice Out Loud Webinar: Leaders from The Opportunity Agenda, United We Dream, and Safe and Just Michigan discuss how we can uplift our social justice goals during this exceptionally challenging period: April 15 at 3:00 EDT
• Tax Day is officially postponed to July this year, but remains a good hook for talking about poverty and taxes: April 15
• 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: April 22
• Ongoing: 
  • Census 2020
  • The People's State of the Union: through April 20
  • Second Chance Month: April 1-30
  • Medicaid Awareness Month: April 1-30

Historical Anniversaries: 

• 90th Birthday of Dolores Huerta: April 10, 1930
• LBJ signs the Civil Rights Act: April 11, 1968
• Supreme Court hears arguments in Plessy v. Ferguson: April 13, 1896
• "Black Sunday" dustbowl storm: April 14, 1935
• 60th Anniversary of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Founding: April 15, 1960
• Jackie Robinson breaks Major League Baseball's color barrier: April 15, 1947
• MLK writes his Letter From Birmingham Jail: April 16, 1963
• Central Park Five Arrested and Falsely Accused: April 19, 1989
• Billie Holiday records "Strange Fruit": April 20, 1939