NAPA, California, January, 2009: As more Americans lose their jobs as a result of the economy, another crisis is unfolding across the country: the loss of health care insurance. According to a December 6th article in the New York Times, "The number of unemployed has increased by 2.8 million, or 36 percent, since January of (2008), and by 4.3 million, or 71 percent, since January 2001. Most people are covered through the workplace, so when they lose their jobs, they lose their health benefits." Napa Valley is facing the same challenge, as organizations — both for-profit and non-profit — tighten their belts and consider if they will be able to weather this financial storm.
Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) has created a new membership benefit to help individuals during this economic crisis. ACNV now offers the ability to apply for health care and other forms of insurance as a new benefit for all members. This benefit is made possible through ACNV's partnership with Fractured Atlas, a New York-based non-profit that serves a national community of artists and arts organizations.
"Many self-employed people have great trouble finding reliable health insurance, and artists often have the toughest time of all," says local artist and muralist Angela Tirrell. "Many of us opt for 'catastrophic insurance' that we pay a large monthly fee for because we cannot pay the even higher monthly cost for 'regular' insurance. It would be wonderful to have access to reliable, affordable health insurance which can mean we artists can obtain medical attention as needed."
This long-standing problem has only been exacerbated by the current economic crisis. "For years, we have been exploring how we could provide our members with affordable health care insurance, since many artists work for themselves and do not have access to group health care," said Michelle Williams, executive director of ACNV. "Now, with so many people across the state in jeopardy of losing their jobs and therefore their health care, this benefit is more important than ever. Any member of ACNV — parent, teacher, student, patron, as well as artist — can apply for this insurance."
Members will also have access to high-quality, low-cost liability insurance, including coverage for general liability, studio rental, events, film production, public art installations, art fairs and festivals, teaching artists, and worker's comp.
Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts in Napa Valley. ACNV's mission is to support a thriving and diverse creative community by expanding arts education, collaborating with arts organizations, and nurturing the development of artistic talent. Annual membership for artists starts at just $25, and $40 for individuals, and includes monthly e-blasts of arts and culture events all throughout the Napa Valley, and discounts on a growing list of goods and services from partner businesses. Artist members will benefit from monthly e-blasts of artist opportunities, the ability to apply to participate in Open Studios and to be an Arts in Education teacher, as well as have artwork exhibited in ACNV's Revolving Door Art program. Artists may also join ACNV's online Artist Registry, which is an excellent tool to connect patrons with artists and their work.
The greatest benefit to membership, however, is the investment members make in the local creative community, by supporting ACNV's work to help Napa Valley arts thrive.
For more information on membership or to join Arts Council Napa Valley today, please call (707) 257-2117, , or visit www.artscouncilnapavalley.org.
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