Contact: Marika Lynch,
[email protected], 305-898-3595
ArtCenter/South Florida Creates Irma Relief Fund for South Florida’s Visual Artists Funds Match Art Basel’s Support for Artists in Storm’s Wake (Nov. 20, 2017) MIAMI BEACH – ArtCenter/South Florida today announced the creation of a relief fund for Miami-Dade and Monroe County artists impacted by Hurricane Irma, which caused evacuations, damage and power outages that kept many from working for days after it passed. ArtCenter is matching funds given this fall by Art Basel and its parent company MCH Group, bringing the total amount available to $33,000. Local artists can now apply for up to $500 in relief from the storm through the South Florida Visual Artists Irma Relief Fund, to cover damage to their workspaces, artworks or materials, or lost income. The funding will be dispersed on a first come, first-served basis, with applications accepted through Dec. 8, 2017. To apply, artists can go to Employees1st.org/sfva, where they can find a simplified application that asks for details on the damage the artist suffered, supporting documents and a CV to demonstrate the applicant is a working artist. The fund is being administered by The Baton Rouge Area Foundation. “The impact of Irma continues to ripple through our artistic community, whether due to lost wages or damage to art work and studios. Because of this, we have created this relief fund with our friends at Art Basel to help artists get back on their feet,” said Dennis Scholl, president and CEO of the Miami Beach-based ArtCenter. “While we typically limit our funding to MiamiDade, artists in Monroe County were hit so hard, we want to invite them to participate in the fund.” Art Basel and MCH Group pledged a total of $50,000 in October to help local recovery efforts. One third of these funds were allocated towards the ArtCenter/South Florida's Irma relief fund, with the balance supporting Miami-based first responders who have been on the front lines of the recovery, as well as the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, which was severely impacted by the storm. The Botanical Garden hosts Basel’s Conversations Program during the annual December art fair.
“Miami Beach has been a fantastic and gracious host to Art Basel for over 15 years now. We hope this funding proves a valuable resource for artists in the community who were directly impacted by Hurricane Irma in September and we are delighted to partner with ArtCenter/South Florida in our efforts to realize this goal,” said Noah Horowitz, Art Basel's Director Americas.
ABOUT ARTCENTER/SOUTH FLORIDA Established in 1984, ArtCenter/South Florida is a non-profit that advances the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual arts and culture to an audience of approximately 80,000 people per year. ArtCenter/South Florida creates opportunities for experimentation and encourages the critical exchange of ideas through residencies, exhibitions, public programs, education and outreach. The residency programs include a Studio Residency Program, an International Exchange Program, a PRINTshop Residency Program, a Fellowship Program, and the ARTSail Residency & Research Program. In 2016, ArtCenter/South Florida launched a live/work studio space for artists. Exhibitions and programs at ArtCenter/South Florida are made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council; the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; the State of Florida, Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Arts Council; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more information, visit www.artcentersf.org
