The coronavirus pandemic has forced musicians to cancel hundreds of thousands of concerts around Australia, and with the measures in place to slow the spread of the virus, the livelihoods of musicians and arts organisations are in a tough spot.
While many musicians who survive from gig to gig now face months without income, a number of initiatives have been springing up the last few weeks to support Australian musicians through these difficult times.
Launching today, Heart In The Dark is a different kind of fundraiser. Created by family-run business, Bakehouse Studios in Richmond who have long provided a home, a place and a voice for the beloved music community, Heart In The Dark is centred around hope and confidence that they will return after having closed their doors, and returning with them will be everyone that makes Bakehouse Studios the music community hub it is. That’s the bands, artists in residence, the Fellowships, the public art project, the school holiday programs, the music teachers, the freelance producers and engineers, the filmmakers, the showcases, the staff and community advocacy.
Heart In The Dark is a way of supporting Bakehouse Studios and all our extended music family through these uncertain times.
It’s pretty simple too. Whether you’re an artist, a business or an individual music lover, you just need to click the Paypal link on the Bakehouse website where you can purchase a gift certificate (if it’s within your means) to an artist of your choice – a way to pay it forward. The gift certificates can then be redeemed in good faith when they reopen their doors.
You can choose to either nominate your favourite band and gift them a voucher to redeem for either a rehearsal in one of our many rooms; recording studio time; or a session in the unique Scrap Museum room to film a live stream or make a video clip; ask friends or family to buy your band a Heart In The Dark voucher to use when they reopen; support their various Fellowship programs or other social programs they present via the ‘Donate’ button; or you can buy a Bakehouse Project Billboard Placement for a visual artist to exhibit on their busy Hoddle St wall (by application: please email all billboard enquiries to [email protected])
Melbourne is a renowned music city, and Bakehouse Studios is at its beating heart. With your support, the music will play again.
Pay it forward with a Heart In The Dark voucher at bakehousestudios.com.au/gift-vouchers
