Thanks to all who have contributed to our Passim Emergency Artist Relief (PEAR) fund which has provided much-needed financial relief to musicians during the Coronavirus crisis. Established in March 2020, grants totaling $208,000 have been distributed to over 300 artists. This has been a labor of love for all of us at Passim, and we appreciate your generosity.
While we are encouraged that the worst of COVID-19 seems to be behind us, we are also reminded that this has been a difficult time for musicians (and those whose work supports them) to get new projects done. Touring income and merchandise sales have fallen off as people have gotten sick and shows have been canceled. To help address this challenge we are pleased to announce we are reopening the Passim Emergency Artist Relief (PEAR) fund for another round of artist grants.
Musicians who have been working on releasing new material during the past year are urged to apply for a grant by filling out an application below. The intent of this grant is to reimburse money spent on production costs, so proof of project work will be required, such as an invoice for studio time, producer fees, album photography, or graphic design work. Grants will be awarded in $500 amounts to artists who qualify by entering into a lottery.
To celebrate the PEAR fund, and we had a special show live from Club Passim! Featuring a live set from Hank Wonder, updates on the PEAR fund from managing director Matt Smith, and a debut of a Bruce Cockburn music video made for the PEAR fund by many local musicians. Watch the July 18th, 2020 show & special Bruce Cockburn video below.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the lives of independent musicians through canceled gigs and lost revenue from in-person music lessons. Club Passim decided to close and cancel all in-person shows through the end of 2020, but is now hosting a virtual music festival: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FEST! Passim has reached out to musicians in their community to get on the bill! Musicians practicing social distancing will post videos of themselves playing in their living room for KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FEST that will feature songs about staying calm, hope, and sticking together.
See our Youtube playlist of participating musicians here:
