These are trying times for every single one of us around the world. Our daily lives are being impacted directly through lockdowns and fear that we or loved ones will become ill, and indirectly as we worry about job loss and the deterioration of our mental health from being stuck at home day after day. As the Coronavirus continues to spread, The Delia Arts Foundation is keeping a close eye on how the communities we serve are being affected.
The communities we work with are vulnerable in two ways – directly, as marginalized communities with less than adequate medical and economic systems, and indirectly, as musicians who are dependent on the ability to perform and bring people together in order to earn income. We’re concerned, as we see the number of cases rising in places like Palestine, that the door is opened for further instability in already unstable regions. It is becoming harder to get supplies and as result prices are rising in areas already struggling with poverty. Layered on top of this is the inability of musicians to earn a meager living performing at weddings and teaching music, taking a massive toll on their own mental health and ability to take care of themselves and their families.
Should we be concerned about not only the lives of artists and musicians, but also the loss of their creative presence? Absolutely. Art and music are necessary to live a full life and connect with one another. We’re seeing this even in the heart of the pandemic in Italy, as neighbors join one another to sing from their balconies and bring hope to their country, and on social media, where people are challenged to recreate great art in their own living rooms. Without art, there is no passion, no hope, no light at the end of this dark tunnel.
One thing that’s clear to the Delia Arts Foundation is that we need to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles we’re currently facing. Our project manager continues to work to ensure the Delia Arts Center will be ready to support a community of musicians in Gaza when they’re able to come together again. And our communications manager is working to bring you some entertainment for the long days and continued messages of hope for any day you need it.
As a small, young non-profit, we are particularly susceptible to downturns in the economy, just as small, young businesses are. To that end, we’re keeping a pulse on the philanthropy world, looking for opportunities to help us weather this period. This is where you come in, since not only is it more important than ever to support small charities right now, but musicians in conflict zones will be disproportionately affected by this pandemic. And as big funding sources are directing their resources to support urgent humanitarian needs (as they should be!), nonprofits like the Delia Arts Foundation need the support that a crowd of donors can provide.
Stay home, stay healthy, and if you’re able, join us, so we can continue supporting musicians in conflict zones during this crisis and for years to come.