The impact of COVID-19 and the necessary community precautionary measures to contain its spread, including local and national cancellations of productions and events, has had a devastating effect on our communities—particularly independent artists and art support staff who depend on contract jobs and/or hourly wages to make a living and provide health benefits. Here at Theater Mu, we’re in continual communication with our funders and organizational partners to come up with solutions to support our community during this difficult time. 

But we can’t do this alone. Here are four impactful ways you can help from your home:

1. Make a donation to Springboard For The Art’s Emergency Relief Fund that provides up to $500 in short-term financial relief to individual artists. Last week alone, $10,000 was given to artists. With 150+ requests since then, Springboard and their organizational partners have raised an additional $12,000 but that money will be spent fast. Donate here to support the Emergency Relief Fund.

2. Donate your purchased ticket(s) to a canceled or postponed show or event. Instead of asking for a refund, donate it back to the theater or nonprofit who could use the money to continue paying their employees and independent artists. Better yet, if you were going to attend an event and you hadn’t purchased tickets yet, donate that amount of money to that organization. They probably already spent the money to create it.

3. Spread the word to your networks on how we can support theater artists, nonprofits, and businesses during this time by forwarding this email, posting on social media or sending texts. 

4. Donate to nonprofits and order takeout from restaurants helping to respond to COVID-19 such as food shelters and Asian restaurants giving free takeout meals to school-aged children —and your other favorite causes that may be experiencing financial difficulties due to shortage of volunteers, canceled critical programming and events, and anti-Asian racism.

   Here’s a list of Asian restaurants you can support:

   • Zen Box Izakaya (Minneapolis - “Pay What You Can” Take Out)

   • Que Viet (Minneapolis)

   • Ha Long Bay (White Bear Lake)

   • Eggroll Queen (Falcon Heights)

We are all part of one big community. Let’s continue to do our part to protect it.

Thank you and be well,

he Theater Mu Team