Vera Project Blog

COVID-19 Resources & Support from VERA

Posted on by Ricky Graboski
Hey VERA Community,
 
It has only been about a week since we temporarily shut down, but so many of us are already feeling a shared sense of loss and isolation away from our home at The Vera Project. COVID-19 has fractured our music and arts community in more ways than we could have possibly imagined, and some of our most beloved Seattle institutions have been hit the hardest. Countless musicians, artists, nonprofits, production & gig workers, and small businesses are struggling and need our support and solidarity more than ever. While it won’t always feel like it as we face the next couple months of uncertainty, we are all in this together and we will make it through this crisis more prepared, resilient, and kind.  
 
All of us here at VERA have been working with our friends and neighbors throughout the last couple of weeks to do everything we can to offer resources and support for the most vulnerable folx in our shared communities. Today I am happy to announce a couple of initiatives that we hope will help in some small way:
 
1. VERA COVID-19 Resource Referrals– Fill out this quick survey and we will do everything in our power to connect you to the resources and information you need. Once your answers are submitted, someone from our dedicated team of staff members and volunteers will get back to you with suggestions for aid, referrals to external resources, and/or direct support from VERA.
 
2. VERA Merch Program- 100% of all profits from our newly launched web store will go directly to COVID-19 aid for the foreseeable future.  Check out our community tab to support our membership and teaching artists, and keep an eye out for collaborative merch from local bands that we’ll be highlighting in the coming weeks.  
 
3. DIY Community Relief-  Help us reach our fundraising goal of $25,000 to sustain young people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with a special focus on DIY spaces and the folx leading our music community that do not qualify for other means of institutional support.  Donate to VERA’s DIY Community Fund today.  
 
Please help us share this information with your networks and stay tuned for updates on additional community resources, COVID-19 advocacy initiatives, and exciting new programming opportunities to help keep our community afloat and DIY alive in Seattle and beyond.  
 
Truly & Sincerely, 
 
The Vera Project Staff & Membership
 
 
 

The Vera Project Temporarily Closed

Posted on by Ricky Graboski

Dear VERA Community, 

Thank you so much for working with us throughout the last couple of weeks to keep our community healthy and help fight the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate the outpouring of support we’ve received and the opportunity to lift up local musicians, artists, gig workers, and students at our recent scaled back (and socially-distanced) shows and classes. In the interest of public safety, however, all programming at The Vera Project will be suspended until further notice and our doors will be temporarily closed to the public, effective Monday, March 16th at 12:00PM. 
 
It is more important than ever that we come together and work proactively to protect the most vulnerable folx in our shared communities, so please join us in taking every possible precaution and following the safety guidelines prescribed by the City of Seattle, King County Public Health, the Center for Disease Control, and the State of Washington. Head to King County Public Health’s COVID-19 resources page for more information.  
 
As we all navigate these incredibly challenging times, please consider supporting our local musicians, artists, nonprofits, and small businesses. Northwest Folklife has an incredible list of community resources that we encourage you to contribute to, as able, and all donations made to The Vera Project from now until the end of April will go directly toward sustaining young people that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Thank you again for helping keep VERA and the City of Seattle prepared, resilient, and kind.   
 
In Solidarity, 
 
The Vera Project Staff & Membership

VERA COVID-19 Updates

Posted on by Ricky Graboski

Hello VERA Community, 

This morning Governor Inslee issued an emergency proclamation prohibiting events and gatherings with more than 250 attendees in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties.  The Vera Project continues to prioritize the safety and health of our community and will be responding accordingly by further increasing safety precautions, limiting attendance at all shows, canceling or rescheduling select events, and encouraging all staff and volunteers to work remotely whenever possible.  Please check back regularly for additional emails, blog and social posts, and other communications with relevant updates on our events and educational programming. 

In the interest of reducing staff time, our phone lines will be temporarily closed, so contact info@theveraproject.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.  

Please see below for the status of specific VERA events and programs.  

Classes, Workshops, and Open Sessions– All educational opportunities at The Vera Project will continue as scheduled for the foreseeable future, unless otherwise stated.  Participants will be notified of any changes and our website will be kept up to date.  

Committee Meetings & Work Sessions– Meetings will also continue as scheduled at the discretion of staff and committee chairs.  

Volunteer Orientations– All upcoming volunteer orientations have been postponed until further notice to avoid unnecessary risk.  

Shows– VERA concerts and special events will largely continue as planned, with the exception of select mainstage shows (listed below).  All events will be strictly restricted to a capacity of 220 attendees, with significantly heightened safety precautions and cleaning procedures.  Please be mindful of all public health guidelines posted, show staff instructions, and any announcements or communications during or prior to each event.  Do not come to The Vera Project under any circumstances if you are experiencing listed COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling sick.  

Announcements regarding the following events will be made shortly 

3/17 – Knuckle Puck 

3/21 – Spite

3/28 – Lightning Bolt

Thank you again for helping to keep our community healthy and safe.  Here is more information on our safety precautions:

  1. Personal Health & Hygiene:

    1. Wash your hands and utilize alcohol-based sanitizer significantly more regularly.  

    2. Keep your distance from others, use appropriate coughing etiquette (use your elbow), and avoid touching your face.  

    3. Eat well, rest enough, get plenty of fluids, and work to manage stress to keep your immune system strong.  

    4. If you are experiencing any symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or believe you may have been exposed to the virus, please stay home if at all possible, check in with your doctor, and contact King County’s novel coronavirus call center at 206-477-3977 or Washington State’s at 800-525-0127.  

    5. If you are considered to be “higher risk” by King County Public Health (Over 60 years old, pregnant, have underlying health conditions, or have a weakened immune system), please stay home and avoid large crowds & congregations as often as possible.  

  1. Community Safety

    1. Again, stay home and avoid large crowds and congregations when you are sick, and encourage others to do the same.  

    2. Avoid visiting hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes. If you must visit one of these facilities, limit your time and keep at least six feet away from patients.  

    3. Do not go to the emergency room unless it is essential to ensure that our medical facilities can effectively care for those with the most critical need.  

  1. The Vera Project Safety & Precautions – If you are working, volunteering, or participating at a show, class, or other program at VERA, here are a couple of things you need to know:

    1. Do not come to The Vera Project if you’re sick, experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, or may be vulnerable to the virus or have a higher risk due to underlying health conditions.  All of our staff and volunteers will be taking this guideline very seriously, including daily symptoms screenings and additional custodial staff, to ensure our collective safety. Please do not put our shared community at risk- there will always be more opportunities to catch a band or take a class.  

    2. We need your help to keep The Vera Project clean, safe, and open to all. Be mindful and responsive to show staff instruction and posted precautions and wash your hands regularly at VERA events. Reminders about such precautions will be announced at all VERA shows and detailed on signs throughout the venue.  

    3. Limit close personal contact & practice social distancing.  Try and keep as much space between yourself and other event attendees as possible and avoid moshing, crowd-surfing, etc. 

    4. Keep VERA staff informed about potential safety and cleanliness issues. We’ll be doing our best to take every precaution, including updating cleaning procedures, adding custodial staff, and informing our community about safety procedures and COVID-19 updates, but please let us know what we can be doing better.  Contact ricky@theveraproject.org or reply to this message with any questions or concerns.

 
Thanks again,
 
Ricky