Compass Arts and the Covid-19 Pandemic

After seven years, Compass Arts Creativity Project officially became a nonprofit organization in 2020…the year that the entire country shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was a challenging time for everyone, and the fields of arts and education were fundamentally transformed. We believe the fact that CACP was able to survive and thrive through this time period is a testament to the flexibility and resilience of our organization. Here is what our programming looked like between 2020 and 2021.

– We sent creativity kits home to all Beacon City School students who received free lunch, containing notebooks, art supplies, and drawing/writing prompts.

– We distributed free poetry collage kits distributed to libraries in Beacon, Cold Spring, Garrison, and Newburgh.

– We offered a Saturday Series of sliding scale and free online workshops from January through March 2021.

– In good weather, our classes were held in outdoor locations where we followed social distancing and masking protocols. During inclement weather, these classes were held via Zoom.

– We created a summer series of four interactive art-making and performance events in our city parks.

– We offered a monthly free arts activity table at the Beacon Farmers Market, along with free arts activities for I Am Beacon’s Back to School Bash and Spirit of Beacon Day.

– A special Beacon Rising choir video made and shared with the community online and through Dutchess County’s Women’s History Month Celebration online, receiving over 1.1.K views.

– Our kids’ Rompatom Ensemble created a special video performance with choral harmony, music and percussion (see below).

– We launched a new program of middle school classes to offer one of the hardest-hit ages an opportunity for socializing, sharing and working through their anxiety with art and music.

– Overall, in 2021 we brought free arts activities, performances, and experiences to over 600 people in our community.