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Since shifting to working from home in March 2020, we have adapted our programs to the realities and urgencies of this year. We wanted to share a quick recap of what we've been up to over the past few months, and a preview of what's to come this fall.
Please note that the Visual AIDS office remains closed to the public, and staff will be primarily working from home this fall/winter. The best way to contact us is to email a staff member directly or reach out to info@visualaids.org.
Spring/Summer 2020 Recap
Office Hours for Artist Members
This spring, we began organizing weekly online Office Hours for Artist Members, creating a virtual space for artists living with HIV to connect and share with us and with each other amid the pandemic. We've loved catching up with artists who've been joining us from London, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Philadelphia and other locations, as well as from New York City. In June, we also began organizing healing circles for Black Artist Members to reflect and share space. If you are a Black artist living with HIV and would like to be a part of future healing circles, contact Blake Paskal at bpaskal@visualaids.org. If you are an Artist Member and would like to receive email invitations to join Office Hours (which are now scheduled monthly), contact Tracy Fenix at tfenix@visualaids.org.
Women's Empowerment Art Therapy Group
Our monthly Women's Empowerment Art Therapy Group has also continued in a virtual space, connecting women living with HIV around the country through conversations about art and art making. For our online events, we've put the emphasis on learning about artists and their work, writing poetry, and sharing our concerns and needs related to COVID-19. We hope to be back to hosting in-person art-making workshops in 2021. If you would like to become a part of the group, email Shirlene Cooper at scooper@visualaids.org. We thank the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and Majority Leader of the New York City Council Laurie A. Cumbo for supporting this program.
AIDS 2020
In July, we participated in the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020). As part of the conference's online platform, we presented a special Women's Empowerment Art Therapy Workshop, shared ongoing screenings of past Day With(out) Art films, and hosted a virtual booth as part of the Global Village.
COVID-19 Emergency Grants
To address the special financial needs created by COVID-19, we have introduced a COVID-19 Emergency Grant for Artist Members, temporarily replacing our annual Materials Grants program. For the first round in June, we distributed $27,200 in $400 cash grants to 68 artists living with HIV. We will have a second round of grants this winter. (Please note: this grant program is only open to artists living with HIV who are Visual AIDS Artist Members. For more information, contact Tracy Fenix at tfenix@visualaids.org.)
