Indy Maven is nothing without our amazing community and to that end we want to be a resource for you as we all navigate our new world amid the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you’re navigating school and business closures, managing life while working from home, or social distancing, we’re here with info on how you can help Indianapolis businesses and what new services companies are offering in this ever-changing landscape. Click here for our main resource page with links to guides in different categories.
With museums, theaters, and cultural institutions shut down for the time being, you may be finding yourself in need of a little performing arts fix. Or maybe you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or get your tarot cards read? Luckily, there are a lot of virtual options available here in Indy and around the world—along with ways to help support all of the wonderful creatives in our city who now find themselves out of work indefinitely.
Indy Maven is also planning a number of Facebook Live events to keep you entertained, so stay tuned!
INDY ARTS & CULTURE COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
The Arts Council of Indianapolis says reports that 1,000 Indy arts and culture event cancellations and venue closures have occurred because of the current public health crisis, affecting 30,000 artists, administrators, and affiliated workers and over 125 arts and cultural organizations that comprise Indy’s creative economy.
Those numbers are simply devastating and in response, they have established a relief fund with an initial $150,000, thanks to generous investments of $50,000 each by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc., the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and the Efroymson Family Fund. There is also a public GoFundMe set up with donations up to $25,000 being matched by the Efroymson Family Fund if you’d like to contribute. You can also share the message and support our local artists with the hashtag #IndyKeepsCreating.
“One hundred percent of all contributions to the Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will go directly to central Indiana artists, arts workers, and administrators,” Julie Goodman, President and CEO of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, said in a press release. “We are deeply grateful for the swift, compassionate response of these generous community funders to help address the critical financial needs of our artists and arts workers who are experiencing immediate and severe losses due to this crisis.”
THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS
Our beloved (and award-winning) Children’s Museum is closed until at least April 10, but they are offering lots of online activities for you and the kiddos. From story time with Andrew Luck and DIY science experiments to behind-the-scenes tours and Facebook Live programming with museum experts, there is so much to do from your house. Check out their Museum at Home page and TCM Instagram and Facebook for more information.
VARDAGEN’S PANDEMIC COLLECTION SUPPORTING LOCAL CREATIVES
Jared Ingold, founder of Indianapolis brand Vardagen, and his team worked quickly and tirelessly to create a new tongue-in-cheek Pandemic Collection—because who doesn’t need a little sarcasm right now? From hand towels for $15 to hand-washing themed sweatshirts for $85, 20% of sales from this collection to independent creatives that are out of work right now. If that’s you, Vardagen asks that you DM them @vdgn so they can try to help and possibly share your story on their Instagram Live.
INDIANAPOLIS ZOO
The Indianapolis Zoo may not be open, but the team is filling up their Instagram feed with lots of fun and educational photos and videos of all the animals.
The Met, moma, and the louvre
Many of the world’s most renowned museums and cultural institutions are offering virtual tours and streaming ballet and orchestral performances. You might not be able to hop on a direct flight to Paris or stop by the Royal Opera House in London, but you can still soak up the culture. Check out a running list I put together for Glamour, including those adorable penguins at the Shedd Aquarium. Also, take a look at your favorite spots’ Instagram feeds—there’s so much content available for free.
Conquering the Kitchen with Tanorria
This virtual cooking membership group created by Indy Maven member and Master Chef Season 7 contestant Tanorria Askew is a fantastic way to spend some of your time at home during the pandemic. Click here for more info and to sign up for the group. Use the code MAVEN at checkout for $10 off per month, (Note: Discount must be applied during the month of March.)
SPELLSISTERS ONLINE READINGS
During a time of uncertainty, perhaps you’re ready to look to the stars. Kelli Jenkins and Hayley Trussell, a.k.a. the Spellsisters, are fully available for online astrological and tarot readings. And we’re so excited to announce they’ll be writing a monthly column for Indy Maven starting in April!
WATCH A CONCERT
Lots of artists—from Coldplay’s Chris Martin to John Legend and Mandy Moore—are playing free shows for their fans on social media and streaming platforms. Music, especially at time like this, is always a good idea.
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Chris played a mini gig at home earlier today on IG Live. @glblctzn @WHO @JohnLegend #TogetherAtHome
HARRISON CENTER’S “SCENES FROM A QUARANTINE”
The non-profit has commissioned several artists for a “Scenes from Quarantine” series and is inviting the public to join in this short, weekday art series via its social media channels. They will post a prompt chosen by one of its artists on Monday – Friday at 10:30 a.m. along with an original sketch or other piece of art. Once the artwork is posted, you are invited to join in and sketch your own work of art and share it by tagging @harisoncenterarts and #scenesfromquarantine and #socialdistanceart. They will then share some of the work on their social media feeds and participants will be entered to win a prize.
“Artists have a unique way of seeing the world, and creating art can provide a way to still build community in spite of the isolation and anxiety many may be feeling during this period of social distancing,” Joanna Taft, executive director of the Harrison Center, said in a press release. “This series allows our artists to do what they do best while addressing a community in need with a cultural solution.”
This post may be updated as new information becomes available.