Staying Creatively Engaged: Ways to Support Artists and Non-Profits During COVID-19 Closures

We all know that the sudden closures throughout Memphis and the country as a result of COVID-19 is stressful and scary but we can all do our part to support self-employed creatives as well as local businesses and non-profits!

Here are some things you can do to be supportive and engaged in your creative community without leaving the house:

Get #creativelyquarantined by taking online classes that you can do from the comfort of your home or participating in creative challenges:

Andy Torres is teaching a class on Utilizing Google Apps: Best Practices for your Business! Register here.

Becky Zee is teaching a class on staying Creatively Quarantined with an at home class building clay critters! Sign up to stream the video and we will drop off kits with all the supplies you need to bring your critter to life! Check out our website for more details soon!

Purchase from Online Sales:

Jailenn, our amazing retail manager, has been sharing work from our shop on instagram too! If you shop, we will deliver or schedule for pickup!

Buy gift cards! It helps keep our business afloat and you can treat yourself later!

A lot of our artists have Etsy shops or sell on their websites!

More ideas:

• Take ArtsMemphis’s survey about how COVID-19 has affected you so that they can help find resources for artists here.

• Participate in the Metal Museum’s #ForgedinFoil challenge! Share your creations on Instagram or Facebook and tag @metalmuseum.

• Watch the Brook Museum’s Virtual Tour of their Exhibition “Native Voice’s” on their Instagram (@brooksmuseum)

• Purchase books from local book shops - let’s be real, Amazon kills the chi of a good book, right? ( Buttttt if you happen to use Amazon during these times try Amazon Smile! You can select to support Arrow and with each purchase Amazon donates to directly support us! )

• DONATE! You can write off your donations to non-profit organizations! A win-win!

• Bandcamp has recently lifted all fees for artists which means 100% of purchased albums, EP’s and singles go to the artist! If you are able to support local musicians and buy their music! Give your ears and soul some love and support too.

• Ask your favorite maker/creator/musician to host a live event accepting donations to join in! (virtual pop up shops and virtual concerts)

Some free ways to help promote artists:

1)Interact with their social media handles - comment, like, and SHARE!

2) Repost images of your favorite artists and encourage your friends to follow.

3) Boost their analytics by clicking links in their bios/on their stories.

4) Visit their websites (every click helps).

5) Renew memberships to your favorite organizations.

Now let us know your favorite ways to help support, uplift and celebrate your favorite local artist/organizations during this time!