In recent days, thousands of Richmonders have flooded the streets to demand justice for the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other unarmed black Americans by police officers, protesting police brutality and centuries of racial injustice. We’ve witnessed the tear-gassing of peaceful demonstrators and the defacing of Confederate monuments — followed by the announcement of their removal and Mayor Levar Stoney’s promises to implement the Marcus Alert for those experiencing a mental health crisis and to establish a Citizen Review Board to provide oversight to the Richmond Police Department. We offer the following recommendations and resources to show solidarity with Richmond’s black community.

The fund was set up by CultureWorks along with seven other arts and culture organizations in Richmond, including 1708 Gallery, Afrikana Film Festival, ART 180, Iridian Gallery, Studio Two Three, Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond, Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and Oakwood Arts. These groups formed a coalition that fundraises for and distributes the funds. Frye said the coalition decided that funds would be distributed to those in communities that are usually at a socioeconomic disadvantage first and foremost.

When the CDC began recommending wearing cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 in April, Richmond businesses sprang into action, converting their workshops to become efficient mask factories, selling masks online and providing face masks to the most vulnerable citizens through partnerships with area nonprofits.

Local arts non-profit Studio Two Three is one of the partners of the CultureWorks art coalition that have organized a relief fund to benefit artists affected by COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Ashley Hawkins

A relief fund of more than $48,000 for local artists in need of financial assistance during the novel coronavirus outbreak has received three times the amount of applications it can cover, while Richmond arts and culture organizations look for new ways to

RICHMOND, Va. - Studio Two Three is using its talents to create masks for those who need them most. Usually, the studio would be closed, but founder Ashley Hawkins has an incredible way to use her studio for good – making masks. Studio Two Three is a co-working art studio located in Scott’s Addition.

All sorts of businesses around Richmond are trying to survive in the midst of quarantine; coming up with survival strategies has been even tougher for those deemed non-essential. From entrepreneurs and artists to retail store owners and fitness instructors, these are the individuals who provide services that, during our current crisis, may not be “essential” for our survival. However, their income (or lack thereof) is directly tied to their survival.

This week the crisis of COVID-19 hit home for all of us. Richmond is now experiencing the panic and confusion that has been sweeping across the globe. Like many of our city’s arts and cultural organizations, Studio Two Three has raced to make a conscientious plan for the safety of our community.

We know that it is the right thing to do. We also know that it will have a significant detrimental impact on our earned income and ability to meet our monthly expenses. This stunning reality — shared by many of our peers, sent us searching for emergency resources available to our field. Spoiler alert: There are few.

Doc’s Addition, a new bimonthly documentary screening series at Studio Two Three in Scotts Addition, hopes to offer a utopia among the void of oversaturation. The venue itself is a reminder of the influence of location on experience: in this case, art creation and contemplation.