Artist Trust COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund

I feel so blessed to live in a state that has stepped up to the COVID-19 pandemic medically, as Washington is now TENTH on the list of reported COVID-19 infections, down from #1 as this whole thing started HERE on February 28 with the first U.S. death. (NBC News.)

I am also delighted and proud of organizations like Artist Trust, which has stepped up and started providing financial relief that took DAYS to manifest. See:

Hello Paul,

My name is Justine and I’m the Annual Fund & Events Manager at Artist Trust. We’re so excited that we were able to disburse another $100,000 of financial support to artists statewide this week, bringing the total distributed to $200,000. Since we officially launched the COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund, we’ve received requests for funding from more than 1,500 artists statewide totaling $3 million in funding requests. As you can imagine, we’ve been working tirelessly to raise the funds that will allow us to continue to support artists during this time of unprecedented crisis. We want to keep the online campaign’s momentum going, and we could use your help to make this happen!

Attached is an image that you can share on Instagram and Facebook with the copy below. Feel free to edit or personalize the copy – the more personalized, the more attention it’ll get. Make sure to tag us @artisttrust

Thank you so much for your help. Please let me know if you have any questions, feedback, or ideas.

All the best,

Justine Deacon (she/her) | Annual Fund & Events Manager
Artist Trust

justine@artisttrust.org
206/467-8734 x18
1835 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA  98122
Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

For the safety our staff and community during the COVID-19 outbreak, Artist Trust offices are currently closed. To learn more about our COVID-19 response efforts, please visit our COVID-19 resources page.

INSTAGRAM/FACEBOOK:

Join Artist Trust in standing with artists during the COVID-19 crisis. Donations to Artist Trust will support relief efforts, including a rapid response grant program that puts cash directly into the hands of Washington State artists now. Support Artist Trust at www.artisttrust.org/donate and learn more atwww.artisttrust.org/covid-19-response.

Thank you Artist Trust. We’ll remember this for a long time.

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SPLAB ISSUES CALL FOR 14TH AUGUST POETRY POSTCARD FEST

Seattle, WA, March 19, 2020—Seattle Poetics LAB (SPLAB), a literary arts-oriented nonprofit organization and organizing entity of the Cascadia Poetry Festival, is now registering writers for the 14th August Poetry Postcard Fest. 

We understand the global seriousness of COVID-19 and the situation in which we find ourselves. In these challenging times, we can use an outlet for creativity and that is the sole reason for moving up the online registration. With a name change to POPO this year, the fest, an exercise in spontaneous composition and community building, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2017 with the release of 56 Days of August. Registration for the 14th edition of the fest is open until July 18. 

To participate in POPO, writers first register online at POPO.cardsThen after March 19, lists of participants will begin to be sent out in groups of 32. Each participating poet has until the end of August to write 31 original poems on postcards to be sent to each other person on their list. Postcards can be as simple or as elaborate as the poet wishes.

In 2019 the fest had 424 participants, spread out as far as the United States, Australia and Japan. All the fest’s instructions, interviews and facts can now be found at POPO.cards. The fest is the largest annual fundraiser for SPLAB; registration is set at $10 per poet, with donations over this amount also accepted. 

Over the past 26 years SPLAB has been instrumental in leading a bioregional cultural investigation using poetics, poetry festivals, publications and education and to building community through shared experience of the spoken and written word. Through the Cascadia Poetry Festival, the organization facilitates an annual gathering of writers, artists, scientists and activists to collaborate, discover and foster deeper connection between all inhabitants and the place itself.

SPLAB (splab.org), a Seattle-based nonprofit, was founded in Auburn, Washington, on December 14, 1993.
 
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Young Authors Summer Program

Exciting news! This summer is the launch of the Young Authors Summer Program…please spread the word to interested high school writers as we continue to build communities around the arts.

This new creative writing program is for high school students who want to take their writing to the next level. If you know someone who would love an immersive creative writing program with authors who are dedicated, accessible, and accomplished, please pass this on. Thank you for helping to give this world substance and soul by supporting writers and their work. The details follow:

Name: Young Authors Summer Program
Age Group: High School
Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA.
Dates: July 20th – August 2nd, 2020

Learn more here: http://www.springstreet.org/summerprogram.html

From Jennifer Boyden:

Take your writing to the next level! Come to San Juan Island to discover for yourself why more writers and artists live here than any other place in Washington.

At the Young Authors Program, you’ll be inspired by the award-winning authors you’ll work with, the awesome beaches, funky cafes, and the forest trails that surround this safe, quirky town. Here, you’ll dive into generating and discussing your writing, explore, connect to a community of writing peers, and have fun.

Come discover our island for yourself—and what you have to say while you’re here. Our team of writers and editors is ready to help you push your current passion and skills, learn new techniques, build a community of creative writers, and take your writing to the next level. Come write with us!

Thanks for helping to get out the word out!

Ian, Jen, and Gavia Boyden

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2020 Fest Postponed ‘Til 2021

This went out today:

Dear Cascadia Poetry Festival Participant,

I am sending out an email to participants, volunteers, patrons and organizers.

The SPLAB Board voted unanimously last night to POSTPONE the 2020 fest until 2021. The COVID-19 virus is the main factor. My own personal health is another. I was diagnosed with intermediate prostate cancer a month ago and am planning treatment once the insurance signs off on the method I have chosen. I expect a full recovery, but I am told I may not have the same energy and so the two events have forced us to take this drastic step.

Can you make it on April 30-May 2, 2021? We need to get your confirmation. We plan to have as much of the programming NEXT YEAR as we planned for 2020, so please let me know. I have some confirmations via phone, so some elements will be in place, just delayed one year. Registration for 2021 IS OPEN: Buy tickets for Cascadia Poetry Festival – San Juan Island – 2021

We will also need help in getting out the word to ensure sales of 50 Gold Passes for 2021. I will let current Gold Pass Holders know we can set them up for 2021, or give them a refund.

In the meantime, SPLAB will be working on the re-boot of PoPo, the August Poetry Postcard Festival. The new site will be here: https://popo.cards/ feel free to send this to your lists.

I also hope to see you APRIL 11, 2020 at the launch of my expanded edition of A Time Before Slaughter/Pig War: & Other Songs of Cascadia. See: http://www.openpoetrybooks.com/event/book-launch-a-time-before-slaughter-10th-anniversary-edition-by-paul-nelson/

Thanks for being a part of this work.

Sincerely,

Paul E Nelson

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