Take the STAGE: 5 Ways to Engage with the Arts Today

 
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As you know, our mission at Culturyst is to make it easier for you to engage with arts & culture in Seattle.  Even during these extraordinary circumstances, with performing arts venues and museums across the city shut down due to COVID-19, we remain committed to this mission. 

So what does engagement with the arts look like when arts organizations have closed their doors and you’re stuck on the couch?  You have likely received emails from various organizations asking you to donate.  According to an ArtsFund survey, Seattle arts organizations are projecting losses of almost $75 million if they are forced to stay closed through the end of May, so donating is a great way to help your favorite organization keep its lights on. 

However, donating isn’t the only way that you can engage with the arts during this time of crisis.  Below, we’ve put together a list of five things you can do, ranging from the most obvious—donating—to some that you might not have thought of. 

We’re calling this list “Take the STAGE: Shop, Tickets, Attend, Give, Engage.”  Although Seattle’s venues might be dark, we can still help the Seattle arts community come back strong when this very long intermission is over. 

Stay healthy everyone!

SHOP
Many museums and galleries have online stores, like SAM Shop and Vetri Glass (get 20% off online purchases with code ARTMATTERS).  If you’ve always wanted that glass bowl or that coffee table book, buy it now.  Think of it as a treat for yourself (or a loved one) that also helps the arts community!

TICKETS
Even though you can’t purchase tickets to attend a show this weekend, many arts organizations will allow you to buy tickets to future performance.

  • Subscribe Now: If you typically subscribe to a specific organization (or want to start now!), purchase your subscription for the 2020/2021 season now rather than later.  Organizations like Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Symphony have already announced their upcoming seasons and others, like ArtsWest, are allowing folks to pre-purchase for a discount.  Check out your favorite organization to see if you can subscribe now.

  • Gift Certificates:  If you (or a friend or family member) have a favorite organization, buy a gift certificate now that you can use for future performances.  When a birthday or holidays come, you’ll have some gifts ready to go!  

Also, if you already bought tickets to a show that has now been cancelled, you can donate the cost of those tickets back to the organization, as opposed to requesting a refund.   

ATTEND (Virtually, of course)
Many artists and organizations are making their art available virtually.  Check out our list of “Seattle Arts at Home” to see what’s available.  If you want to “attend” some arts outside of Seattle, check out this great list of virtual options compiled by the New York Times. 

GIVE
As we’ve mentioned, you’ve probably received requests for donations from specific organizations, but there are actually multiple ways to give money to support Seattle arts & culture.

  • If you have a favorite arts & culture organization, you can donate directly to that organization.  Go the organization’s website for more information.

  • If you want to support the Seattle arts & culture scene more generally, you can give to ArtsFund’s COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund.  This sector-wide emergency relief fund will provide immediate relief grants to arts organizations in order to ensure they can maintain essential functions and retain core staff during the crisis.  The list of organizations eligible for grants is here. 

  • If you want to support individual artists, you can donate to the Artist Trust's Relief Fund.  Administered by the advocacy group, Artist Trust, this fund will make immediate cash grants to affected artists in Washington State.

ENGAGE
These days many of us have increased our social media time in order to better connect with family and friends.  While you’re there, engage with your favorite arts organizations and artists on social media by following them, commenting on their posts and amplifying their messages to your friends.  Maybe you’ll discover a new artist or upcoming show that you’ll want to check out when this is all over.  

Culturyst