#SaveTheArts campaign advocates for artists impacted by pandemic

As our lives slowly return to normal, artists may be having a more difficult time than most. In response to this, the NCFA created the social media campaign #SaveTheArts, to draw attention to the dangerous effects the Coronavirus pandemic has on film, music, literature, dance, painting, and more. While many businesses are reopening, the arts face a more challenging recovery.

In a time of social distancing, artists have no place to exhibit their work or to perform. Concerts and festivals have been swept away by the pandemic, leaving 2020 with a very quiet summer. It’s near impossible for TV and film productions to shoot, and many movie premieres and release dates have been put on hold. Much-anticipated films such as Mulan, Wonder Woman 1984, Black Widow, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife have been delayed months past their original release dates.

Awkwafina, who starred in Crazy Rich Asians and Jumanji: The Next Level, took to Instagram to support #SaveTheArts. Her goal was to raise awareness for the workers in the film industry who may be in danger of remaining unemployed.

“Since I’ve entered this industry, my team – costume, hair and make-up, in every set were my friends, my therapists and my rocks. They and their hard work are incremental in our process,” Awkwafina said in the caption of a July 23 Instagram post. “Right now, we need to make sure that there is a stable industry for these guys to come back to work to, because we need them and they are important…”

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, some of your favorite TV shows and movie sequels may not. Like Awkwafina pointed out, jobs such as hair stylists, makeup artists, sound and light crew workers, writers, producers, and actors may not have a set to come back to. Take to social media and contact your elected representatives to support the campaign. From poetry to drama to music, the arts are a part of our everyday lives. Don’t forget to wear a mask to #SaveTheArts.