Urgent Benevolent Fund for Artists

Dear friends,

*Artists, freelancers and zero-hours contract workers within our Morphe network who’ve lost their income need your help*
 
People like Claire*: She was working as a jobbing dancer, performing at gigs and festivals; she had a side business as a fitness coach; taught dance in schools, and worked part time in a café on a zero hours contract. The gigs and festivals have been cancelled without pay; fitness clients are unable to keep their appointments; the schools and café have closed, unable at this time to offer any pay to casual contractors. Overnight, Claire’s income has disappeared: an entrepreneurial livelihood she worked hard to build and sustain. She is doing everything she can to find alternative work or move online but this will take time and, as her existence was already hand-to-month without the benefits of sick- or holiday- pay, there is a real short term fear about how to pay next month’s rent.
 
Cue Acts Chapter 2 [enter stage right] :
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (2:42-45)
 
Christian mentoring network Morphē Acts seeks to respond to the current crisis by offering tangible support to those within our network whom we personally know to be struggling. Our artists are working hard to find alternative sources of work, to explore possible government funding and to reach out to friends and church family. Morphē Arts would like to contribute to this effort and make funds available to cover the immediate need while our artists reimagine their lives.
We have £1150 in our pot so far and are seeking initially to raise this to £4000, allowing us to provide 20 bursaries of £200 each. These will be given at the discretion of Morphē’s Artistic Directors; do feel free to ask for more details about how this project will be administrated.
 
We believe this a time for the church to come together and distribute what we have amongst those who need it. If your salary is unaffected or you could spare some money - and if you find yourself watching more Netflix and feeling grateful to the artists who make it! - please consider donating to our fund.
 
Thank you, we are very grateful for your support.
 
Love
The Morphē Team
Ally, Cully, Sarah & Eleanor
 
For more about the work of Morphē Arts head to https://www.morphearts.org
 
*name changed for privacy