CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Some artistic groups in Chicago say funding for the arts—which has been sparse even in good times—is suffering even more now when it's needed most.
Enrich Chicago, a collaborative of 40 arts and philanthropic groups, is making a case for more city funding for smaller arts organizations, which are often African-American or LatinX run.
But what do they say to people who believe in troubled times the priority should be ensuring people have food and jobs? Vershawn Sanders-Ward, founder of the Red Clay Dance company answers quickly.
"The arts is my job. The dancers that are in that dance studio right now this is their job. This is not a hobby," she said.
"Imagine a world without those things, and I think that might reframe the way you think about it again as it being essential, because it is an expression of our humanity and without it I think our humanity would be suffering more than it is now."
And Nina Sànchez, director of Enrich Chicago, said the arts are helping us face the pandemic.
"What is getting people through this pandemic, right? As we hunker down at home it's this sudden and wide access to all sorts of artistic expression, usually at no cost," Sànchez said.
She said people are coping with the coronavirus and having to stay indoors with access to the music , movies and other entertainment.
Sànchez added we can also thank artists for the $30.3 million they bring to the Illinois economy every year.
We talk about the arts and the pandemic on our AT ISSUE program this weekend and you can hear more Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
