Mainz (dpa / lrs) – Hardly any performance opportunities and events only with a distance: Artists suffer most from the Corona crisis. Although there are several aid programs, the Rhineland-Palatinate Foundation for Culture is distributing 7.5 million euros through project grants. But there are also always local initiatives in the country.
With mini shows against the pandemic: Under the motto “Rent an Artist”, the Ludwigshafen Cultural Office, for example, arranges artists for 15-minute performances to social institutions or private individuals. “After the corona-related lockdown, Ludwigshafen’s cultural workers were also in a life-threatening situation and turned to the cultural office,” says project manager Stefanie Bub. The municipality reacted quickly.
“We have designed a multi-track, low-threshold emergency aid program to cushion emergencies. In this context,” Rent an Artist “was created.” The project enables short appearances in front of an audience – even in times of largely shutdown events. The idea is well received, says Bub. “The project quickly met with great approval from artists, social institutions and private individuals.”
And how does it all work? “We arrange local artists for fair fees to those interested. Employees of the cultural office guarantee that everything runs smoothly in the open air on site. The events are solo programs and largely do without technical equipment,” said Bub. For appearances in social institutions, the cultural office will pay the fee until September. The clients book and pay for private mini-shows.
And what are artists doing elsewhere in Rhineland-Palatinate? The painter Petra Ehrnsperger, who lives in Mainz, gave the impetus for an event for artists in Neu-Isenburg (Hesse). Visitors to the weekly market there could purchase so-called artist bags at the stand of the Tiberius Gallery, which were decorated with small original works of art – including a shopping voucher.
Business people waived around 25 percent in favor of artists and customers. With the project, money should come into the coffers emptied by Corona – a help for self-help in the crisis.
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