An Update from the MAIA Squad

We wanted to firstly send our love and thoughts to those affected by or vulnerable to COVID-19. It truly is a time of uncertainty, concern and sadness in many ways. But we’ve also seen incredible acts of solidarity, care, courage, love and kindness. So grateful for the ecosystem around us. 

As a small business, the next few months are going to be crucial, game-changing and possibly brutal. Having already been affected by cancellations and postponing, we will need to make lots of changes in how we work. Like many of you, we are trying our best to ensure we can still keep going.

We have spent the last few months working intensively to launch exciting news, programme updates and a new venue. We have since put this on pause until we know what the future holds. Our community is everything, so your health and wellbeing is priority. Sadly, this means we’re postponing the recently-announced ‘Girls Night In’.

However, our priorities are community care and direct action where possible. We’re looking at what and how we can continue commissioning and supporting folks. With programming, we’re exploring a number of creative experiments people can do from home, alongside digital events that centre the perspectives, needs and insights of the most vulnerable in our community. We’re also still recruiting for a freelance communications lead, making the start date negotiable to try and help the creative workforce in any way we can. Email Amber for details on this.

On top of this, we set up the West Midlands Artists Coronavirus Impact Fund a week ago. Over this time, we have raised almost £4000 thanks to generous donors, making hardship funds available to creative freelancers and artists across the region. We are going to continue fundraising for as long as we can, so please do donate if you’re able or claim if you need.

 One thing is for sure – we will navigate through. We look forward to connecting with you in new and digital ways for now. Collectively, we will be back better and stronger than ever, ready for a dope ass future. As natalieisonline posted: we have clarity about who we want to be in community with as we remake the world. We will get through this. Until then, love and take good care.

MAIA x