This is the thirtieth Pro/Motion since Boston Dance Alliance repurposed this newsletter to offer support, creative opportunities, and encouragement during the Covid-19 pandemic and the national uprising in support of social justice.
We pledge to continue to offer support to the dancers and dance lovers in our midst and strive to build a cultural community that embraces our highest and deepest aspirations.
“Without the arts, without music, without dance, without drama, without photography, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.”
Rep. John Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020)
Yes, you can rent the BDA floor for your outdoor events!
A number of weekends between now and early fall are already booked, but get in touch with dcash@bostondancealliance.org if you are planning a performance. We may also be able to direct you to the latest information on state gathering protocols.
When are audiences going to come back to experience live art? The Audience Outlook Monitor produced by the research firm of Wolf Brown included Boston data through its partnership with Arts/Boston and the Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture.
- Arts audiences are eager (91%) to come back but they are clear that it won’t be possible until public health conditions improve. That might be with a vaccine or much-improved treatment protocols.
- A majority of arts audiences (55%) don’t expect to return to cultural events until at least January 2021.
- Boston audiences are resilient. 88% said the pandemic would have no substantial impact on their long-term attendance, provided theaters and music halls are safe to come back to.
- Boston audiences plan to spend money on the arts.
- Eighty-nine percent (89%) of respondents indicated they planned to spend as much money or more on subscriptions, tickets, memberships, and admissions, with the average respondent saying their spending would remain at 99% of previous levels.
- Ninety-six percent (96%) of patrons indicated they will maintain similar or larger donations to organizations they previously supported.
Want to know how the dance sector has been impacted? Dance/USA ran some numbers.
Do Your Civic Duty — And Empower Yourself!
There has never been a more important time to stand up and be heard.
Here are some easy steps you can take this weekend.
Protect stimulus unemployment during the pandemic. The upcoming Congressional stimulus bill is likely to be the last, so it is imperative to retain and extend the support that artists and so many other working people need. Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Judy Chu introduced the Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act to ensure that workers who earn a mix of traditional (W-2) and independent (e.g. 1099) employment income are able to fully access the unemployment assistance provided in the CARES Act. That includes many dancers and creative professionals and this legislation has a huge list of arts organizations listed as supporters.
Americans for the Arts explains what is at stake and helps you contact your rep online. Got out of town friends and relations? Encourage them to be in touch with their Congresspeople, too. Time is of the essence.
Did you fill in the census? Accurate numbers will affect federal disbursements over the next decade! Fill it in, and encourage your neighbors to participate. The census counts residents, not citizens. You do not need to be a citizen to be counted. And it is available in many languages! Massachusetts is currently ranked 20th in the nation for 2020 Census self-response rates, which just hit 64.4 percent statewide. Do your part!
Did you send in a vote-by-mail card and are you registered to vote? You can check here. Then sign the pledge to Create the Vote to increase voter participation in the 2020 elections and engage your networks through nonpartisan voter education, registration, and turnout.
This week the state House passed H.4879, which includes $11M in authorized spending for artists, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, and arts educational experiences. The state Senate has started to consider S.2842,which includes $20M in authorized spending for arts and cultural nonprofits. This means that both the House AND the Senate know the value of arts and culture to a thriving Commonwealth. MassCreative provides an easy way to thank your state legislators with a simple click! They need to know Art Matters.
New England artist and longtime Boston friend Christal Brown‘s work in process is featured in a special Arts Across America showing.
Once again, Kelly Donovan’s SpeakEasy is looking for performers for its online performing arts party. Held the 4th Saturday of the month at 8pm and featuring dancers, actors, poets and all other performers, magicians, burlesque, tarot readings and more! Apply here.
Because you asked.
Starting next week, job listings, audition postings, and the lists of choreographer, dancer, and teaching artist opportunities are returning to the Boston Dance Alliance website! If you want to share local opportunities with our community, please post! While BDA membership enables us to provide this important service, posting is free. (Sorry, at this time we are not posting opportunities outside the Boston area even if the work is going to be conducted virtually.)