An award-winning journalist recognized for her media leadership and for promoting diversity, Trish Muyco-Tobin has more than 20 years of experience in print and broadcasting. She is also a dedicated community volunteer.
UPDATE: The total amount of monetary aid from two St. Louis funds distributed to individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has reached $1.6 million to date.
In an announcement today, officials revealed the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and the Gateway Resilience Fund, both administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation, have granted a total of $1.61 million since March 24 to individuals, nonprofits and businesses in need of assistance.
In its first week, the Gateway Resilience Fund awarded some $440,000 in grants to local businesses and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund, created to provide short-term monetary assistance to employees and owners of small businesses affected by pandemic-related closures of bars, restaurants, shops and other establishments, has so far given out grants that total almost $360,000 to 525 individuals, while Downtown St. Louis Community Investment District (CID) funds totaling $80,000 assisted 16 downtown businesses.
“This fund was created to show the owners and employees of St Louis independent businesses that this city values them and what they add to the fabric of the great city,” fund co-creator and adviser Roo Yawitz told Gazelle in a previous interview.
The fund was established in late March by the St. Louis Community Foundation. Applications will be considered and awarded through April 30 or until the designated funds are depleted.
For eligibility guidelines, or to apply for assistance or to donate, visit stlgives.org/covid19.
A glimpse of how St. Louisans are living life during the global COVID-19 pandemic is the focus of a current digital initiative by the Missouri Historical Society.
Curators and archivists at the Missouri Historical Society, which operates the Missouri History Museum, the MHS Library & Research Center and Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, are asking for residents of the St. Louis region to share their stories of how they are responding to the pandemic.
“While history is always unfolding around us, it’s rare that we have the realization that we are indeed living through a historic moment,” said MHS director of digital initiatives Angela Dietz. “During times like this, it’s important to share stories of our lived experiences; museums are often safe spaces where that sharing takes place.”
Dietz notes that while the Missouri History Museum is closed to the public, community building is still possible through storytelling.
“Perhaps this will help us all feel a little less isolated; and in the future, these stories may prove important to researchers, scientists and historians seeking to understand the full community impact of the pandemic,” she said.
The new initiative, called “Stories of the Pandemic: A St. Louis COVID-19 Digital Archive,” asks the public to submit written stories or upload a photo or video that demonstrates how they are dealing with the pandemic.
“We are looking for any and all perspectives, whether you’re on the front lines working in the medical field or as an essential employee, or you are one of the countless people just trying to figure out how to work-from-home, homeschool, and keep up with friends and family while social distancing,” Dietz explained.
The “Stories of the Pandemic” digital archive is the first phase in the Missouri Historical Society’s collecting response to COVID-19. In the future, MHS hopes to collect 3-D objects that aid in telling the story of the pandemic. Until then, the digital archive, an informal collection of community contributions, will serve as a way for the community to share the collective experience of the pandemic.
“Our normal collecting process is a formal one, and it happens at a bit slower pace—as it often takes distance from an event to realize what is important to collect; however, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to capture stories and images while things were happening,” Dietz said. “So, (this digital archive) can capture history as it’s unfolding…When our curators and archivists are all back in the office and have some more time and perspective, we will be reviewing this material and thinking about how to incorporate it into our permanent collection.”
The MHS team will curate submissions and share some of them on social media and on its website, mohistory.org.
More diversions: St. Louis-based arts company Barrett Barrera Projects (BBP) is opening up its digital platforms to the community beginning this week. Founder Susan Barrett has announced BBP is launching a virtual gallery space for artwork to be crowdsourced from anyone who wants to participate. The goal is to inspire others and lift spirits, as well as encourage everyone to continue creating, during this time of social distancing and staying in place. Beginning Monday, April 6, Barrett Barrera Projects is calling for submissions of one to three images of recent artwork from people of all ages and skill levels, accompanied by a short description. Each week, the Barrett Barrera Projects team will select a submission to feature on the company’s Instagram Story, which can be found on its Instagram page, @bb_projects. To submit artwork for yourself, your family or friends, send images and information to margaret@projects-gallery.com.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting a series of online-accessible, micro-commissioned short plays from some of the American theatre’s most exciting and prominent playwrights. The series, called “Play at Home” includes feature plays – all with a running time of 10 minutes or less – available for the public to download, read and perform at home for free at playathome.org.
The series (done in partnership with Baltimore Center Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, The Public Theater and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company) was conceived as a way to support artists, connect people to theatre, and to ignite imagination and joy in these uncertain times.
Each company commissioned multiple playwrights – most of whom had plays canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak – to create new works that were big, joyful and not bound by the constraints of what might be “possible” on a traditional stage.
The Rep’s commissioned playwrights include:
- Regina Taylor (playwright of The Rep’s 2020-21 production of “Oo-Bla-Dee”)
- Karen Zacarias (playwright of The Rep’s 2020-21 production of “Native Gardens”)
- Steph Del Rosso (playwright of The Rep’s 2020-21 world premiere of “The Gradient”)
- Guadalís Del Carmen (who appeared at The Rep as an actor in 2020’s “Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles”)
- Tre’von Griffith (a St. Louis performer and playwright, co-founder of TLT Productions)
Participants are highly encouraged to share photos or videos of their home performances on social media using the hashtag, #playathome
And finally, as some of you may know, yours truly hosts The Stir Podcast, which features conversations with people who inspire, fascinate and bring us joy. In these extraordinary times, we’re producing special programming for The Stir called the SIP (Shelter in Place) Series alongside author/columnist/TV producer Debbie Baldwin, who joins in on a lively discussion on ways to entertain you and your family at home. From Netflix programs to classic movies and books of every thought, as well as treats to maximize your enjoyment, Debbie and I will show you how to appreciate the fine art of at-home entertainment. Follow the hashtag, #TheStirPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or subscribe to Gazelle Magazine’s YouTube channel to join the conversation!
