5 Reasons to Donate & #AmplifyAustinArtists with the Long Center
POSTED ON MARCH 2, 2021 BY LONG
These last few weeks have reminded us that Austinites always come together in a crisis, and that’s why we’re so excited to kick off I Live Here I Give Here’s 24 hours of community giving through Amplify Austin to lift up our non-profit community. The need in Austin has never been greater, and at the Long Center, we haven’t let up on our work to support local artists and keep our musicians and industry workers employed and performing while venues are closed.
This year, we hope you’ll help us reach our Amplify Austin goal of $35,000 in support of Austin’s artists and creative community. So here are 5 reasons to donate and #AmplifyAustinArtists today.
Reason #1 //
Because we miss moments like this one.
Charlie Sexton with Nikki Lane and a host of other local musicians honor the work of late music legend Billy Joe Shaver at Long Live Music, November 2020.
There just isn’t anything quite like live music, and right now we need the thrill, the energy, and the community it brings more than ever. It’s no secret that the COVID crisis has taken a huge toll on Austin’s artists, stagehands, creatives, and music scene — estimates list that over 30% of Austin’s creative sector jobs were lost between April and July of 2020 and nearly 62% of venues are at risk of closing permanently.
We knew our arts community couldn’t struggle through this time alone, so that’s why we’ve made it our priority to help hundreds of artists, organizations, and venues continue creating throughout this pandemic. Because new ways to experience art and supporting the artists who create it is what makes this city tick, and our work through Good Vibes Only, Long Live Music, and with the City of Austin’s Live Music Venue Preservation Fund has done exactly that.
Reason #2 //
To keep our stages full — anywhere, any way.
Big Freedia and dancers headline the stage with Tank and the Bangas at Long Live Music, December 2020.
We’ve seen everything and anything turned into a stage while Austin’s venues have been shuttered. And last fall, we saw the return of live music out on our lawn with our friends at Luck Reunion for Long Live Music, an outdoor, socially-distanced concert series that proved Austin could celebrate live music again, safely and responsibly. Not just that — hearing it felt even better than we had imagined.
Reason #3 //
To get our creative sector back on its feet.
The string section of Montopolis brought the Good Vibes to their taping, which aired February 24, 2020.
Venue closures meant lots of jobs lost for Austin’s artists, creatives, and creative sector workers that have devoted their lives to the performances and shared experiences we love. So the Long Center created Good Vibes Only, our free, fully-produced virtual concert series spotlighting the diversity of Austin’s local music scene and the creativity of our production teams while safely providing performance space for groups that hadn’t played a real set together in over 8 months. That’s a really long time.
Reason #4 //
Because local music is an Austin tradition.
Austin isn’t called the Live Music Capital of the World for nothing — it’s the city’s bread & butter. But that also means we have to take special care of the venues across town that we rely on for a good show and a good time when they’re unable to host us. And with our partnership with the City of Austin’s Live Music Venue Preservation Fund, we’ve been able to distribute $1.48 million to 74 venues that faced imminent closure, with more critical funding, resources, and training on the way.
Reason #5 //
Because there’s an Austin artist in each of us.
Your gift to the Long Center during Amplify supports these programs and puts Austin artists first as we work towards the recovery of our creative sector. Thank you for your support as we work together to #AmplifyAustinArtists!
