WHAT IS PAINT THE VOID (PTV)?
This project was started in mid April 2020 by three women: Shannon Riley, Meredith Winner and Inga Bard, as a response to the economic “void” of businesses closing all around the Bay Area in the wake of Covid 19. We noticed plywood boards going up all over San Francisco and our artist friends all lost their jobs in the event, service and gig economies overnight.
We thus hatched a plan to raise funds to give artists grants for painting murals that highlight hope and beauty while we all sit tight and do our best to make it through the uncertainty. We are now a team of volunteers connecting artists with businesses who want to participate in this voluntary effort to uplift our communities. We are fundraising for artists grants to support them at this time of unprecedented unemployment so that they can stay in the Bay Area and we can keep our culture alive. Most of our funding is crowd sourced through small donations. As we continue to serve the artists community every little bit helps even if it’s just $5-$20, please consider making a reoccurring donation.
We thus hatched a plan to raise funds to give artists grants for painting murals that highlight hope and beauty while we all sit tight and do our best to make it through the uncertainty. We are now a team of volunteers connecting artists with businesses who want to participate in this voluntary effort to uplift our communities. We are fundraising for artists grants to support them at this time of unprecedented unemployment so that they can stay in the Bay Area and we can keep our culture alive. Most of our funding is crowd sourced through small donations. As we continue to serve the artists community every little bit helps even if it’s just $5-$20, please consider making a reoccurring donation.
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The public art organizations Building 180 and non-profit Art for Civil Discourse are the organizers and facilitators. Lisa Vortman is the head of photography and documentation. For a complete list of volunteers, check out our About page. Intersection for the Arts is our fiscal sponsor. Businesses across the Bay Area have expressed desire to participate. Nearly 500 artists filled out our Artist Intake Form.
Building 180 is a full-service art production and curation agency. We produce, curate and create unique and complex art installations from conception to completion. We are a network of artists. We collaborate with incredibly inspirational and innovative artists, architects, brands, city planners, designers, developers, museum curators and more, everyone has a story to tell. Our wide range of services are tailored to bring your story to life. Building 180 is co-founded by Shannon Riley and Meredith Winner.
Art for Civil Discourse is an initiative that brings communities together to spark conversation by inviting citizens to collaborate on co-creating public art. Art for Civil Discourse is a member of Intersection for the Arts. Intersection for the Arts is a historic arts nonprofit that provides people working in arts and culture with fiscal sponsorship and resources to grow.
Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups—typically projects—engaged in activities related to the sponsoring organization's mission. It typically involves a fee-based contractual arrangement between a project and an established non-profit, Intersection for the Arts takes a 10% processing fee for all donations to Paint the Void. Inga Bard is the founder and executive director of Art for Civil Discourse, Inga is a Ukrainian-American artist whose mission in life is to use art to make the world more beautiful.
Building 180, Art for Civil Discourse and over ten other part-time volunteers are running this initiative as volunteers and pro-bono, donating their time to project manage each mural, documenting the process and sharing the works with the growing community of PtV supporters.
Building 180 is a full-service art production and curation agency. We produce, curate and create unique and complex art installations from conception to completion. We are a network of artists. We collaborate with incredibly inspirational and innovative artists, architects, brands, city planners, designers, developers, museum curators and more, everyone has a story to tell. Our wide range of services are tailored to bring your story to life. Building 180 is co-founded by Shannon Riley and Meredith Winner.
Art for Civil Discourse is an initiative that brings communities together to spark conversation by inviting citizens to collaborate on co-creating public art. Art for Civil Discourse is a member of Intersection for the Arts. Intersection for the Arts is a historic arts nonprofit that provides people working in arts and culture with fiscal sponsorship and resources to grow.
Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups—typically projects—engaged in activities related to the sponsoring organization's mission. It typically involves a fee-based contractual arrangement between a project and an established non-profit, Intersection for the Arts takes a 10% processing fee for all donations to Paint the Void. Inga Bard is the founder and executive director of Art for Civil Discourse, Inga is a Ukrainian-American artist whose mission in life is to use art to make the world more beautiful.
Building 180, Art for Civil Discourse and over ten other part-time volunteers are running this initiative as volunteers and pro-bono, donating their time to project manage each mural, documenting the process and sharing the works with the growing community of PtV supporters.
WHAT DOES THE MATCHMAKING PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Artists and businesses are asked to fill out a quick form. Our team will review the forms and reach out to each artist and business when we find a match and have funding to provide additional grants. Please be patient as we are a small team. To the best of our ability, we are pairing artists with businesses in the same neighborhood to avoid unnecessary travel. We will directly connect the artist to a corresponding business to discuss general content guidelines. Together you’ll determine content and timing. We’ll be there to help!
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR BUSINESSES?
We select a business by how appropriate their boards are for murals in terms of size, texture, and timeline. Most of our funds are dedicated to small family-owned businesses. We also take into account the businesses accessibility to the community by selecting pedestrian friendly areas. Our early partnerships with Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, Hayes Valley Art Works, Lower Haight Merchants Association and Union Square Business Improvement District have been essential in creating murals in these neighborhoods early on in our project. We are now focusing funding to Black-owned businesses where possible.
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR ARTISTS?
When selecting an artist we take many factors into account. First and foremost we look at their portfolio. We consider their aesthetic and how it matches the business, their geographical proximity to the business and their story as an artist. We make sure to support a diverse group of artists related to the following criteria: gender, sexual orientation, race and level of experience. Once we have selected a business for a mural we then pass along a short list of artists in their neighborhood to choose from. Since the business is the one displaying the art we allow them to have the final decision for the artist. We are committed to uplifting marginalized voices.
WHAT ARE THE THEMES RECOMMENDED FOR THE MURALS?
PtV started off recommending uplifting themes of positivity and hope for murals on business that closed down as a response to COVID-19 however we now strive for artistic and creative freedom of the muralist. The content ultimately decided by both parties. In the event of disagreement regarding content, we will reassign the artist to another business.
HOW IS PTV EVOLVING WITH THE TIMES?
In late May of 2020, protests in response to our current system which fosters systematic racism, police brutality and economic systems that benefit the few, swept across the nation and many more businesses boarded up their storefronts in Oakland and San Francisco. Currently we are directing most of our available funds to support the BLM movement and thus sponsor POC artists. The content of these new murals rightfully have charged messages. We encourage artists to express freely.
Paint the Void does not curate any artists onto the boards of any businesses without expressed and written permission by the business owner. We believe in supporting the freedom of artistic expression and also respect the right of the businesses to have a say about messaging on their storefronts.
Paint the Void does not curate any artists onto the boards of any businesses without expressed and written permission by the business owner. We believe in supporting the freedom of artistic expression and also respect the right of the businesses to have a say about messaging on their storefronts.
WHAT IS PAINT THE VOID'S POSITION ON RACIAL JUSTICE?
At Paint the Void, we hold a vision of an equal world. We started this initiative as a response to the shuttered businesses created by COVID-19 and our murals became a part of civic discourse overnight. In the wake of destruction and loss, we at Paint the Void, have had the unique ability and privileged opportunity to be on the side of building and beautifying. In reflection of this opportunity, we have realized that we can do better and we MUST do better to co-create the world we want to see. Paint the Void stands in solidarity with the BIPOC communities against racism and inequality. We stand against all forms of inequality and the systems that perpetuate it. There is much work to be done and we are committed to being a part of the solution.
We see art not only as a form of expression, but also as a voice, a form of dialogue and a form of shared learning. Murals are large pieces of art-- highly visible to passersby-- dedicated to a particular space. Each mural is a public statement which takes courage to create, each can help fuel change. More often than not, they are an expression borne of the community where they are painted. As an organization that secures funds to create murals, we recognize our position of privilege in choosing the artists and the locations that we engage. We realize that we can use our platform to promote a more equitable and just future, not only by selecting the artists we work with, but also by engaging with our communities, deeply listening to criticisms, and fostering a positive team culture. We are committed to evolving, understanding and complicitness.
We see art not only as a form of expression, but also as a voice, a form of dialogue and a form of shared learning. Murals are large pieces of art-- highly visible to passersby-- dedicated to a particular space. Each mural is a public statement which takes courage to create, each can help fuel change. More often than not, they are an expression borne of the community where they are painted. As an organization that secures funds to create murals, we recognize our position of privilege in choosing the artists and the locations that we engage. We realize that we can use our platform to promote a more equitable and just future, not only by selecting the artists we work with, but also by engaging with our communities, deeply listening to criticisms, and fostering a positive team culture. We are committed to evolving, understanding and complicitness.
WHAT ARE PAINT THE VOID'S GOALS AND COMMITMENTS TOWARDS RACIAL JUSTICE?
- Supporting and Funding Artists: We will support, fund and empower BIPOC artists with our platform for public artistic expression by prioritizing the placement of BIPOC artists.
- Amplify Voices: We will feature BIPOC voices throughout our social media platforms.
- Diversity: We will ensure that BIPOC voices are well represented through our artists, volunteers, and audience.
- Advocate: We will advocate on behalf of racial/social justice.
- Empower: We will continue to support full artistic freedom, allowing each artist to freely express themselves and their beliefs, without the design direction of Paint the Void or other stakeholders.
- Security: We will continue to secure all business owner’s and/or landlord’s permission prior to any installation, and to pursue partnership with the local community wherever possible.
- Community: We will continue to work with artists living as close to the installation location as possible and engage in local community outreach where possible.
- Increasing Funds: We are launching a sponsorship program for our donors to focus funds on BIPOC artists and specific communities. We will provide our donors the opportunity to dedicate their funds specifically as they see fit, most notably towards chosen neighborhoods or artists of a specific identity.
The time is now. It will be uncomfortable but this is necessary when learning, changing and growing. Our commitment is to support and make available the opportunity for marginalized voices to have a platform and to share their perspective with their communities. Our process will not be perfect but we remain committed to continued growth and improvement.
ARE ALL THE MURALS CREATED ON PLYWOOD BOARDS AROUND THE BAY AREA CURATED AND SPONSORED BY PAINT THE VOID?
No. There have been many stunning murals popping up on plywood boards all across the Bay Area, some are officially affiliated to Paint The Void and others are not. Many artists are choosing to simply go out and pick an open wall to create a mural. Some artists that we have previously paid to create murals are continuing to paint more without our involvement. This is all wonderful however we can not and do not take all the credit. Some people are tagging images of murals not curated or sponsored by #PainttheVoid with our hashtag us on social media. We’re grateful that artists continue to create beauty in our streets, however much of it happens without our involvement.
Please note that we only send out artists to paint once we receive written permission from the business and/ or building owner via our permission slip. For a complete list of murals curated by Paint the Void please visit our map.
Please note that we only send out artists to paint once we receive written permission from the business and/ or building owner via our permission slip. For a complete list of murals curated by Paint the Void please visit our map.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY MEASURES WE ADVISE?
We take the safety of our artists, businesses, and the community very seriously. To minimize risk of CV-19 exposure, artists are asked to work at home wherever possible. While outside, artists have to wear a mask, observe social distancing and other CDC guidelines. All projects are instructed to comply with the latest public health guidelines.
This effort is in support of our community and we ask residents not to congregate to view the work. There will be plenty of opportunity to do so once the social distancing mandate is lifted.
This effort is in support of our community and we ask residents not to congregate to view the work. There will be plenty of opportunity to do so once the social distancing mandate is lifted.
WHERE DO I FIND PAINT THE VOID ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
We want to virtually share what the artists are creating with everyone following along at home. Follow along:
We do our best to update social media as often as possible however have limited capability due the small size and voluntary capacity of our team.
- Hashtag: #paintthevoid
- Instagram: @paintthevoidproject
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/paintthevoid/
We do our best to update social media as often as possible however have limited capability due the small size and voluntary capacity of our team.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION?
FOR DONORS
HOW CAN I DONATE?
Please visit our donation page here.
You will get a confirmation receipt in your email that you can use as proof when filing your taxes.
Please consider making a recurring donation that will continue to allow us to support artists during this crisis. There is no amount too small for a donation, every dollar helps. At the same time we are looking for support from larger companies, institutions, charitable organizations and persons. If you know someone who can help on a larger scale please help us get in touch.
Here are the Paint the Void decks: About Deck, Fundraising Deck, Sponsorship Deck and Project Profile. Check them out and feel free to share!
You will get a confirmation receipt in your email that you can use as proof when filing your taxes.
Please consider making a recurring donation that will continue to allow us to support artists during this crisis. There is no amount too small for a donation, every dollar helps. At the same time we are looking for support from larger companies, institutions, charitable organizations and persons. If you know someone who can help on a larger scale please help us get in touch.
Here are the Paint the Void decks: About Deck, Fundraising Deck, Sponsorship Deck and Project Profile. Check them out and feel free to share!
CAN I DONATE BY WRITING A CHECK?
Yes! We are fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which allows us to offer you tax deductions for your contributions. Please make checks payable to Intersection for the Arts , and write PAINT THE VOID in the memo line. Send the check to:
Intersection for the Arts
1446 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Writing “Paint the Void” on the check ensures that your donation will be directed towards our project.
When Intersection receives contributions, they send all donors who contribute $250 or more an acknowledgement letter which they may submit to the IRS to deduct the contribution from their taxes. If your donation amount is below $250 and you would still like a letter, Intersection can generate one by request, please let us know at hello@paintthevoid.org
Intersection for the Arts
1446 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Writing “Paint the Void” on the check ensures that your donation will be directed towards our project.
When Intersection receives contributions, they send all donors who contribute $250 or more an acknowledgement letter which they may submit to the IRS to deduct the contribution from their taxes. If your donation amount is below $250 and you would still like a letter, Intersection can generate one by request, please let us know at hello@paintthevoid.org
IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes! We are fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which allows us to offer you tax deductions for your contributions.
On tax forms, the donors will need to provide the following information about our fiscal sponsor:
EIN: 94-1593216
Name: Intersection for the Arts
Address: 1446 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94102
On tax forms, the donors will need to provide the following information about our fiscal sponsor:
EIN: 94-1593216
Name: Intersection for the Arts
Address: 1446 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94102
SHOULD I MAKE A RECURRING DONATION?
Please consider it! The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to cause multiple months of economic disruption. As long as there is no effective nationwide policy change, it will only become harder to provide basic support to displaced professionals over the next 12 to 18 months. A donation made in the future will create greater impact than a donation made today.
Do you accept corporate sponsorship? Yes. Please reach out to us at PaintTheVoidProject@gmail.com
Do you accept corporate sponsorship? Yes. Please reach out to us at PaintTheVoidProject@gmail.com
FOR ARTISTS AND BUSINESSES
HOW DO I APPLY?
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?
Please fill out our form. Artists and businesses will be matched by proximity to the best of our ability to avoid unnecessary travel. Artists must reside in San Francisco or Oakland Businesses must be located in San Francisco or Oakland
WHAT IS THE GRANT AMOUNT FOR ARTISTS?
In the beginning of the initiative we offered $600 grants for the artists’ time and materials and sometimes helped to facilitate walls for artists who donated their time and made murals for free. At this time we upped the grant amount to $1,000 and only facilitate a mural if we have the funds to pay the full amount.
We believe that art is essential and that artists deserve a living wage for all the work they put in to beautify public spaces and support the spirits and mental health of our culture.
We believe that art is essential and that artists deserve a living wage for all the work they put in to beautify public spaces and support the spirits and mental health of our culture.
HOW DO I MAXIMIZE MY CHANCES OF BEING MATCHED WITH A BUSINESS?
Apply as soon as possible and make sure you share an up to date portfolio of your work.
I’VE APPLIED, NOW WHAT?
We are a small team reviewing the intake forms, matching artists with businesses and making sure this is done safely. We’ll reach out to you as soon as we have a match and funding for you. Thank you for your patience while we process all the forms.
WHO OWNS THE ART WHEN THE BOARDS COME DOWN?
The Artist!
Here is a PDF of our Permission Slip, the MOU between the business, artist and Paint the Void.
Here is a PDF of our Permission Slip, the MOU between the business, artist and Paint the Void.
CONTACT
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INSTAGRAM
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FACEBOOK
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PAINT THE VOID DECKS
SOCIAL MEDIA TAGS
#PaintTheVoid #SupportLocalArtists #SupportLocalBusinesses