ArtsBuild, the city's nonprofit charged with raising funds for and promoting local arts organizations, is diverting some of its emergency funds to help local artists who have lost revenue due to events canceled because of fears of the coronavirus.
As part of the effort, local band Strung Like a Horse will present Saturday night a live concert streamed from the Songbirds Guitar Museum, which is temporarily closed along with several other venues that feature live music and is asking fans to watch and donate to the cause. After-expenses money will go toward the ArtsBuild Artist Emergency Fund. The show will take place at 8 p.m. and is closed to the public.
Strung frontman Clay Maselle conceived the idea as a way to make work for the band and the crew that handles things like lighting and sound.
"I didn't even know about the ArtsBuild fund, but when I saw it, it seemed like the perfect thing," he said.
Ultimately, he said he'd like to see more shows like it in the coming weeks as people deal with COVID-19 and its impact "on our lives."
To donate
To donate, go to:Venmo: @strunglikeahorsePayPal: strunglikeahorse@gmail.com
Songbirds Executive Director Damien Rogers said only a few people will be on hand for the performance on Saturday.
Handling the audio will be Brett Nolan from The Soundry, with help from Craig Bolin; lighting by Mickey Reid from Gemini Production; and video by Chattanooga State media students.
"We will have just a few people there - a lighting director, sound guy, camera operator and the band," he said.
"It's a way to help out a part of the community," he said.
Welcome to the Stung Like a Horse Quarantine Concert & Charity Show! 100% of donations above and beyond the cost of putting this show together will be donated to a new local Emergency Artist Fund created by Arts Build! Donate NOW! Venmo: @strunglikeahorse PayPal: strunglikeahorse@gmail.com
Posted by Strung Like A Horse on Saturday, March 21, 2020
According to the Strung Like a Horse Facebook page, "we will be broadcasting a full fledged live show from Songbirds! It will be a free live stream with a donation link. Y'all just sit back from the comforts of your own quarantine and enjoy the show! The funds donated will go to pay the performers and production crew their normal rates. 100% of donations above and beyond the cost of putting this show together will be donated to a new local Artist Emergency Fund created by Arts Build! They will be giving out small grants to local artists who are being affected by the COVID-19 virus! We are super excited to be teaming up with this incredible organization to support all local artists who are being dealt this huge blow.
According to Rodney Van Valkenberg at ArtsBuild, the agency has about $16,000 leftover from an emergency fund that was created after fire destroyed the building that housed the arts networking nonprofit Arts 120, and some other ArtsBuild funds not now earmarked for other projects.
About 33 local artists who have had shows or events cancelled, not postponed, will be able to apply for the one-time-only $500 grants. If more money becomes available, more artists will receive grants. To receive the funds, Valkenberg said, artists will need to fill out a form available at artsbuild.com.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.