Even before the pandemic, artists struggled financially. During the best of economic times, many artists must work multiple jobs to make ends meet, do not qualify for employer-sponsored benefits like health insurance, and carry staggering amounts of debt.

As we’ve learned from our efforts to provide $3 million to individual artists nationwide through the Doris Duke Foundation Performing Artist Recovery Fund at the New York Community Trust, COVID-19 has disrupted the livelihoods and health of performing artists and has left many on the brink. The grant program has provided direct financial support to three hundred performing artists who have experienced extreme economic hardship during the pandemic.

Thankfully, there are things we can all do to help the artists who contribute so much to our society. And it starts with making sure we support their ability to be artists and continue to make a living.

First, we can validate artists’ needs. They are workers, after all, subject to the same economic challenges and constraints as those in any other sector. We don’t expect individuals who work in other sectors to do so without adequate compensation. Why should we expect that of artists?

Second, we must educate ourselves about the inadequacy of current support structures for artists. We often say jazz artists were the original gig workers. Now that we recognize the struggles itinerant workers face, let’s not leave artists out of the equation as we consider how to build a fairer economy for all. Let elected officials know you care about artists and that their interests should be a part of any effort designed to support American workers.

Third, and most importantly, we must pay artists for their work. If we enjoy the work of an artist, it’s crucial that we compensate them for their toil and talent — both now and after the pandemic. We can buy art directly through artists’ e-commerce channels to help them earn needed income. We can tune in and donate to artists’ livestreams and share information about their work on social media to encourage others to support them. We can attend events when it is safe to do so.

Read the full article about supporting artists during the pandemic by Maurine Knighton and Kerry McCarthy at PhilanTopic.