An Unexpected Hiatus: COVID-19 Updates

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Jess Christy, “sage advice from the red plum,” Cyanotype, March 2020

Dear community,

Spudnik Press Cooperative will be closed until the stay-at-home order, which is currently set through April 7th, is lifted. All April programs, including Open Studios, Studio Access Trainings, Drink & Draw, and Volunteer Sessions are also suspended until further notice. While it is too soon to begin scheduling our roster of classes and events, we eagerly anticipate that day!

The foundation of our organization is our studio. Our mission is rooted in providing a gathering space for artists and anyone who wishes to be creative through print. The value of our programs stems not just from access to equipment, but to the relationships and support networks that prosper through our shared open studio sessions, classes, internships, fellowships, residencies, and events.

While we are taking this unexpected hiatus from programming, staff are ardently using this time to consider how to best welcome you back to the studio. We are leaning into our dedication to our community, and thinking creatively about ways to adapt our summer plans to support a community facing unanticipated hardships.

The toll this pandemic is taking on all communities, including the Chicago arts, is unprecedented and we need to take care of ourselves and each other, now more than ever. With this in mind, we are sharing a list of resources below, related to artistic support as well as housing, food security, and other basic needs.

Moreover, we cannot support our community without the backbone of our organization: our staff and studio space. We would like to ask for your support in ensuring Spudnik Press Cooperative remains resilient. If you are able, please consider pre-paying for your next studio visit or class, making a donation to support our ongoing costs, or contacting your Members of Congress about the importance of relief for nonprofits and freelance artists.

Throughout this, we are prioritizing compassion, while working to ensure that we are able to continue serving our community well into the future.

With your health and wellbeing in mind,
Spudnik Press Cooperative Staff & Board of Directors

 

Artist Resources

List of resources from the City of Chicago specifically for artists.

CERF+ The Artists Safety Net  is conducting a national survey of studio based artists to understand the challenges they are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data gathered will help us advocate for artists and inform how we can address immediate and long-term needs.

ArtsReady: An online emergency preparedness service by and for arts/cultural nonprofits.

COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources

Creative Capital Arts Resources

Chicago Artists Relief Fund
*Applications for aid currently closed

Requesting Support in Hard Times: It’s important to remember that asking for support in a difficult time is appropriate. Download these templates for some helpful language. (PDF | Docx)

 

General Resources

Chicago COVID-19 Help & Hardship mutual aid network, to ask for and donate money within your community.

Rent & Mortgage:

List of resources from the City of Chicago. Scroll down to the bottom of resources by category.

Xfinity os offering free WiFi at any Xfinity hotspot. Simply select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser. They are also offering free Internet Essentials for qualifying families.

Greater Chicago Food Depository is open. Find one of their 700 locations near you.

Filing for unemployment in Illinois

Volunteer Opportunities: If you are able to help, there are so many ways to do so. However, please remember that this is not a free pass to violate the stay-at-home order!

A lot of medical centers are asking for people to make and donate Face Masks. If you can sew and have any fabric scraps, you can make them too. Check out this how-to guide!