How to Be a Helper of the Arts

I’m grateful to have such a profound person to quote this week because, I’ll be honest, I’m at a loss. With new proposals to slash even more NEA funding looming, it can be hard to feel hopeful.

But I’m not hopeless.

Artists are a resilient lot. But given the context of the news this week, I thought it best to lend this week’s newsletter to being helpers.

Onward,

Amanda

Be a Helper

I had an epiphany last night. As I watched Kelvin Roston Jr. sing his heart out as Donny Hathaway in Twisted Melodies with Northlight Theatre, a feeling caught in my throat. Roston, performing in a role he also wrote about, a soul music icon, epitomized everything I’d been feeling this week about the arts.

Passion. Unbridled passion.

Our love for the arts is all-consuming. A love that many of us can’t adequately put into words. And now is the time to use that passion to ensure our beloved arts aren’t lost as politicians claw money back to their hoards.

Now is the time to be helpers. But how can we help?

Obviously, the best way to help is to provide arts organizations with direct financial support. However, here’s a handy list with both financial and non-financial ways to support our favorite organizations during this time of grant scarcity.

• Buy Tickets and Subscriptions: The most direct way to support a theater is by attending shows. Consider purchasing season tickets or subscriptions for a better value and to provide consistent revenue for the theater.

  • Buy Concessions: When I review a show, I often purchase something from the concessions stand. I didn’t pay for the ticket, and my $5 coffee (+tip) might not be a lot, but every little bit helps.

• Make Donations: Ticket sales rarely cover all the costs of running a theater. Individual donations, whether one-time or recurring, are crucial for paying artists, building sets, lighting the stage, and funding community engagement programs.

  • Don’t forget to consider donating to other organizations, such as the Chicago-local The Arts Work Fund or the national Arts Action Fund. There are many organizations, ranging from grassroots to national levels, that still offer grants and other resources to arts organizations across the country.

• Utilize Employer Matching Programs: Many workplaces offer matching programs that effectively double or triple your contribution to non-profit organizations.

• Sponsor a Show or Program: Businesses, organizations, and individuals can sponsor productions or specific programs, gaining visibility while directly supporting the arts.

• Attend Fundraising Events: Galas, auctions, and other fundraising events are often fun ways to contribute financially.

Active Non-Monetary Engagement

• Volunteer Your Time: Arts organizations often rely heavily on volunteers for various roles, including ushering, box office support, set building, costume creation, marketing, and administrative tasks. Reach out to them and ask if there is anything you can do to help.

• Spread the Word: Talk about shows you've enjoyed, share social media posts, invite friends and family to performances, and write positive reviews. Word-of-mouth is invaluable.

• Subscribe to Their Newsletters: Newsletters can be a valuable source of income if the audience is large enough and the open rate is high. Organizations and companies can leverage their newsletters to place advertisements, but only if folks are around to read them.

• Be an Arts Advocate: Contact local, state, and national representatives to encourage funding for arts education and community-based arts organizations.

• Join the Dialogue: Participate in talkbacks after performances, attend community events, and engage in discussions about the theater's work. Your feedback and perspective are valuable.

• Offer Skills and Expertise: If you have skills in areas like marketing, accounting, legal counsel, graphic design, or carpentry, offer your services pro bono or at a reduced rate.

Build Community Connection

• Support Local Partnerships: Encourage arts organizations to partner with local businesses for promotions (e.g., dinner-and-a-show deals), sourcing materials, or advertising. Better yet, if you’re a business owner, consider offering these opportunities to support your local arts organization.

• Attend Community Events Hosted by the Theater: Many theaters host workshops, classes, readings, or other events that extend beyond their mainstage productions, fostering deeper community ties.

• Recognize the Value: Understand and communicate the broader benefits of local theater, such as cultural enrichment, fostering creativity, boosting local economies, promoting education, and encouraging civic engagement.

It is very clear that the politicians at the top aren’t going to protect our arts organizations. So it’s up to us to stand up and do what we can to help them not just survive, but thrive.