The Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, individual donors, join effort to help Miami-based artists; Individuals can contribute to the fund at oolitearts.org/relieffund

MIAMI BEACH (April 1, 2020) Just a few days after launching, a relief fund for Miami’s visual artists is quadrupling in size, and will now be able to provide more than $100,000 to Miami’s visual artists impacted by COVID-19.

The Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation has joined the Oolite Arts Relief Fund for COVID-19, providing $50,000 in funds. Additionally, Oolite Arts is doubling its own commitment, raising it to $50,000. Demand for the fund continues to grow, and donations are being accepted at oolitearts.org/relieffund.

Visual artists who are Miami-Dade residents can apply for up to $500 in relief through the Oolite Arts Relief Fund for COVID-19. To be eligible artists must 1) be Miami-Dade residents, 2) have lost income due to the cancelation of scheduled employment, whether in the cultural sector or not, or a professional artistic opportunity and 3) provide a current CV that demonstrates they are a working artist.

The funding is being dispersed on a rolling basis, with checks going out to the first recipients within a week.

“The arts are essential to our lives, and artists are essential to our community. We need to ensure that artists can get through this difficult time. We are extremely grateful to the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation and the additional donors who are helping Miami’s artists bridge their financial gaps at this time,” said Dennis Scholl, president and CEO of Oolite Arts.

“Artists serve a pivotal role in our community, creating works that inspire and add culture and diversity to our city. Now more than ever, we need to support the artists who give so much to us. Now is the time we can step up to keep Miami the thriving art and cultural hub that it has evolved into. Thanks to The Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, we are proud to support Oolite Arts’ efforts and hope to inspire other individuals and companies who may be in the position to support the arts during these challenging times,” said Louis Wolfson III, partner, Pinnacle.

The funding will be dispersed on a rolling basis, with applications accepted through April 16, 2020. To apply, artists can go to oolitearts.org/relieffund.

Oolite Arts is the leading resource for Miami-based visual artists. Now in its 36th year, Oolite Arts, formerly ArtCenter/South Florida, helps Miami-based artists advance their careers, by providing visual artists with free studio space, exhibition opportunities and the financial support they need to experiment and grow.

Oolite Arts’ 2020 resident artists will each receive $500 in relief, separate from the artist relief fund.

In addition, Oolite Arts has two grant opportunities for artists this spring.

• • The Block: Applications are now being accepted online for The Block, a short documentary contest on Miami neighborhoods.
  • The Ellies: Starting April 22, Oolite Arts will accept submissions for the Ellies, Miami’s Visual Arts Awards, offering a share of $500,000 to both visual artists and art teachers.

About Oolite Arts
Oolite Arts helps Miami-based artists advance their careers and inspires the cultural community to engage with their work. Established in 1984, Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource, providing visual artists with the studio space, exhibition opportunities and financial support they need to experiment, grow and enrich the city. Through its educational programming, Oolite Arts helps Miamians learn about contemporary art and develop their own artistic skills. For more, visit oolitearts.org.