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Whacked Management has made a call to action for funding for 100 artists in the industry who have lost out on opportunities as a result of the recent Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.
No other sector of society has felt the blow of the Covid-19 Coronavirus quite like the arts.
We’re all cooped up at home enjoying the fruits of their labour, but every branch of the fraternity of arts is taking a hit.
Even South Africa’s number one soapie, Uzalo announced it had to take a production break due to Covid-19.
Whacked Management, who handle public relations for acts like Loyiso Bala, Lloyd Cele, Mi Casa, David Kau and Celeste Ntuli among others, has partnered with some of their biggest collaborators to provide local artists with a safety net during these trying times.
The press relations firm released a statement and call to action that lays out their plan to set up a funding account for 100 artists in the industry who have lost out on opportunities as a result of the recent outbreak.
Performances, appearances and the like have been pushed back as far as three to six months leaving many artists in a financially precarious position.
Jade Sellers, Whacked’s public relations manager explained, “We have taken the artists we’ve booked in the last 12 months as well as contacting a few of the agencies we work with and put a list together of people we know who are struggling at this time.”
She said it was a mutual thing in as far as choosing which acts would make the list and that they are keeping the list confidential.
“It’s not embarrassing in a sense, but people are more inclined to not let it be known that they are struggling,” she added.
Whacked Management is planning a proper roll out for this initiative on Monday, but you can make contributions to the fund right now.
“The fund is ready to go, and we are finalising the list and we’ll be getting artists to share it online and raise awareness. “Sellers is of the opinion that ours is a supportive country and she has already seen evidence of this through setting up this fund.
“Some of the people we have reached out to have even declined our help saying they are okay for now and instead nominating another artist they feel needs it more.”
The PR expert came across as genuinely concerned for the arts sector and not simply looking to bolster her organization’s Corporate Social Investment.
She trusts that this sector will be able to pick up the pieces on the other side of this ordeal, with help from patrons of the arts.
“From our side, we are hoping that people will want to go out and support the arts especially as people have been in their houses for a while.
South Africa is a supportive country and I think people will want to travel and eat out and go to shows and help them rebuild their business.”
• Visit gogetfunding.com to make donations to this fund.
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