The Arts and Creativity Abound Amid a Global Pandemic

There is no doubt that you are being inundated with news, particularly about the global outbreak of COVID-19 and its impact in communities around the world.

As I sit at my desk in Washington, D.C. in constant contact with members of my team, colleagues, peers, family, and friends, I can’t help but wonder how the arts and our communities’ cultural vitality can deepen connections during a time of social-distancing, heal wounds from trauma and anxiety, and unify a world that is increasingly more divided.

At Creative Generation, we are committed to helping out constituents through this global crisis by providing timely and relevant resources, however, we are also committed to inspiring our followers with those bright spots and amplifying messages of hope.

As I’ve worked with our programs and projects and respond to the needs of the worldwide arts/culture/education field, I see glimpses of hope – examples of beauty and resilience to inspire action. 

GET INVOLVED

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of catching up with Ximena Varela, Associate Professor of Arts Management at American University who is compiling stories of the arts-community’s response to COVID-19. Having just returned from conducting some research on the Bubonic plague in York, England (the irony!), her research will track responses and draw comparisons between centuries to global pandemics. 

I encourage you read others' and submit your stories here.

We are committed to sharing more of this type of research and documentation over time.

GET INSPIRED

While many dedicated organizers are addressing the needed supports for our field (like this call to action for funders, etc), I also wanted to share with you a few of those bright spots I mentioned – hopefully to keep you inspired, and amplify the good work happening around the world.

If you are a music-type, you may get a boost from the below music video and song produced by international students of Liaocheng University in Shandong, China. The song on the musical video was produced by a Ghanaian singer Dj Titanium and features two rappers from Gabon and Nigeria.  A true international collaboration responding to a global issue. Read the article here. 

Similarly, a Cleveland State University music therapy student has begun to produce virtual concerts which mutually benefit patients utilizing music therapy as part of their treatment and supporting unemployed, musicians during this time. Check out the article here. 

Others are using visual art to empower parents to discuss these unfamiliar topics with young people. Check out this article from NPR about the role of comics to explain COVID-19 to youngsters.

Additionally, individuals and organizations are embracing technology to produce meaningful artistic experiences for creatives. From Japan to Norway, fans from 31 countries around the world have lent their hearts and talents to form a virtual choir singing Dear Evan Hanson'‘s “You Will Be Found.”

These are only a sampling. Artists and creatives are producing incredible works during this unprecedented time. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Be well.