It’s clear that things are not clear. For any of us. Regardless of our politics or industry, we are all craving uncomplicated directions for how to operate during this pandemic and how to proceed as shutdowns are lifted. For Boston’s cultural sector, which is as gorgeously diverse as its outputs, we are also seeking clarity on how to reengage with audiences. We are turning to other industries like restaurants and construction, to colleagues in countries that have reopened, and to well-resourced institutions and organizations for assurances that we will survive and for ways to move forward. We are also turning to each other as we interpret shifting public safety guidelines.
The work of reimagining our offerings in a COVID-19 era takes time and resources. It is with deep gratitude that we recognize local funders who have stepped forward to provide Now + There with much-needed unrestricted support. We are indebted to NEFA’s Fund for the Arts, the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative with Technical Development Corporation, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their supplemental support of existing grant programs. We also recognize the Federal Government’s timely aid and the Payroll Protection Plan loan we recently secured. With this support and that of generous individuals we are keeping all staff employed, existing projects up longer, and continuing to commission works for the future.
Now + There is also grateful for the leadership of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture under Chief of Arts and Culture, Kara Elliot-Ortega, and their open weekly calls. On Fridays, we learn alongside one another and find solace in community amid the uncertainty with Now + There Asks. We also challenge each other to rebuild with equity.
When funders demonstrate their confidence in our work and the city places the arts as a core pillar of the city’s economy, we can’t help but feel hopeful that public art will remain a part of Boston’s identity in the years to come. But we must keep working together, for this is just the beginning. As Juma Crawford, President of the Lewis Family Foundation said during a recent N+T Ask conversation, echoing Rahm Emanuel in 2008 as President Obama's chief of staff, “We shouldn’t let a good crisis go to waste.”