In this new COVID 19 (sur)reality, the stress we feel can be overwhelming.

For relief that is healing and uplifting, take time to join us for the first of three VIRTUAL Baker Finalist Showcases this Thursday, April 16 at 7:00pm, featuring Ryan Johnson, ellen cherry, Allen Xing and Anna Fitzgerald. Next Thursday, April 23rd, the Literary finalists will present a virtual reading, and on April 30th our musicians will take the stage.

The featured performers are among the 38 artists who were selected as finalists for the 2020 Baker Artist Awards from more than 800 artist portfolios in the Baker Artist Portfolios. For more information on the showcases, or to access the webcasts, please visit www.bakerartist.org/finalists. Video links will be available one hour prior to show. The Baker Artist Portfolios and awards were established by the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund and are a program of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance.

For Baltimore-based artists, the recently announced Baltimore Artist Emergency Relief Fund is a coalition-led initiative designed to provide direct assistance to artists impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Artists have watched gig after gig - and paycheck after paycheck - get canceled in a matter of days for reasons beyond their control. Many have been left wondering - how will I care for myself and my family without income? While it’s impossible to predict how long our current crisis will last, we can come together to support each other in our time of need.

Thanks to a coalition of passionate partners, old and new, and inspired by the generosity of artist-led relief efforts in Baltimore and across the country, resources have been pooled to offer emergency grants of $500 to Baltimore City creatives who are experiencing financial strife as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Applications are available here.

In the meantime, don’t forget to breathe.

Be safe and well,

Jeannie