The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) has been happening every second weekend in July since 1961, rain or shine, in the heart of downtown Toronto. Social Distancing wasn't going to prevent Canada's leading contemporary outdoor art fair from supporting their artists and art lovers that would otherwise flock to Toronto. All over the world, people can virtually attend 10 days of Art, Awards, and other virtual events at TOAF's First Online Art Fair, July 2–12.

But this article isn't about their online art fair alone. TOAF created a dual-initiative response to COVID, a meaningful and impacting gesture to not only realistically support their 300+ participating artists but also spread the joy of art to the healthcare workers in their city.





"In this time of crisis, we felt that a gift of art could bring real joy and excitement to members of our community who are keeping us safe and allowing us to continue doing our work. Gifts of Heart is a way for our many devoted Fair-goers and art lovers to join us in doing something truly special for our artists, while honouring those frontline essential workers to whom we owe so much. So far we have had a wonderful reaction to the Gifts of Heart Program and raised $10,000 in the first week - that’s 40 gift cards for frontline workers already," Anahita Azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director, TOAF.

100% of the money raised goes directly to the artists while frontline healthcare workers will be able enjoy a 'gift card' to spend at the Online Art Fair! It's a beautiful win-win to help artists while showing the endearing love and appreciation we all feel for healthcare workers during this pandemic.

If TOAF reaches their goal to raise $100,000, they will be able to offer gifts to 400 frontline workers. This will also provide an income of $100,000 for their participating artists. The healthcare workers gifted will be able to shop for artwork at the online fair through the TOAF website.

"There will be a wonderful selection of paintings, photography, drawing, jewelery, ceramics, and so much more around the $250 price range for them to choose from," Azrahimi explains.

These days, we look for the helpers, the heroes and the initiatives which bring joy and positivity to those who need it most. We hope when we look back at this era in our lives, these are the stories we remember. To date, there is one month left to help TOAF reach their goal. If you are able, we invite you to donate.

Festival Vendors Struggle Through COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2020

Julie Cochrane, Operations Manager

FestivalNet.com

800-200-3737  

Julie@FestivalNet.com

Festival Vendors in Search of Options

Almost 50% of vendors surveyed rely on events for all income

Raleigh, NC.  FestivalNet.com announces results of their May 2020 COVID-19 impact study. With more than 3,500 responded, the survey uncovered the challenges and creativity of being a festival vendor or performer.

Full survey results: https://festivalnet.com/blog/FestivalNet-Survey-Response-4196

Some quotes from our members:

“Unfortunately like many vendors, our products sell best when they can be seen in person, touched...tried on. I think online shows are going to be a big part of the new norm, but the in person are SO much better, especially the music festivals." - Craftsperson Lori Trafford, Montana

"I am a henna artist which requires me to be within 1 foot or less of a client in order to do my artwork on their body. With social distancing this is impossible, and I don't foresee people being comfortable sitting that close for at least 2 years..." - Lisa Paulger, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

About FestivalNet.com: Founded in 1996, FestivalNet serves festival vendors, artists, craftspeople, musicians, event promoters and visitors throughout North America. With more than 300,000 members, we provide detailed event information for more than 26,000 events and tools to help our community connect to make events successful. 



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Since 1996, FestivalNet.com has maintained a database of North American fairs and festivals, offering extensive event details for the exhibiting artist, performer, and vendor. We pride ourselves with providing the most event information from coast to coast and serving our members year after year by meeting their event research needs. As COVID-19 raged, changing every aspect of life as we knew it, Festivalnet.com hoped to gain an understanding of the impact and reach of this global health crisis within our community by conducting a business impact survey.

We've read every single reply. To all those who participated, we hear you loud and clear. Something that stood out to us when reading your feedback is people have a desire to connect. Tell their story. Be heard. We hope our response helps move our community closer together than ever before. 

To make that hope a reality, we're exploring new and creative ways to serve you with the intention of helping our community survive this most challenging of times, even as our country struggles to find ways to safely allow group gatherings.  

For many, dealing with this pandemic unfolded in stages starting with denial and often culminating in some form of productivity and a plan. FestivalNet member Mark Taylor described his experience:
 

“We simply sat down and said to ourselves we can sit here and feel sorry for ourselves...or we can get our butts into the studio and figure out how to reinvent ourselves and at least survive this event." - IDEA Studio, Hilton Head, SC

While survey responses are still coming in and we might reevaluate our data again, at the time of exporting these results, 3,494 people across the United States and parts of Canada identify in the following ways:  

Finding Balance in Uncertain Times
...from all of us at FestivalNet.com to all of you.

It is our sincerest hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy as this pandemic rages and then runs its course. But health isn’t the only concern. Artists, crafters, food vendors and entertainers...our community...depend on groups and gatherings to make a living. And, these are the very things which are being cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19.

The combination of social distancing, self-quarantine, concern for loved ones and economic impact makes for extraordinary stress during these already difficult times. The Centers for Disease Control says how you respond to the pandemic can depend on your background, the things which make you different from other people, and the community you live in. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in both adults and children.

image: harli marten

Things to Consider Before Your First Show
By Sam Wilson for USA Moving Reviews

How to Find Companies That Are Interested in Sponsoring Events
By Stephen Kim for bizzabo.com

Sell to those who want what you’re selling! Though obvious, people often overlook this fact when the need for buyers becomes urgent and overbearing. This kind of tunnel vision is particularly true for event organizers looking to secure event sponsors.

image via aranxa esteve

The approach should not be to indiscriminately search for potential partners but to find companies who are specifically interested in sponsoring events. It’s a subtle yet significant difference. By focusing solely on companies willing to sponsor events, the search process becomes targeted and in turn yields more favorable results.