By Recker McDowell —
Recent stories in the Arizona Republic by Elizabeth Montgomery outline the challenges faced by art galleries and how they are navigating COVID-19 and its impacts.
The stories feature great local galleries, including the Art One Gallery in Scottsdale which showcases emerging artists. Art One has been helping local and young artists showcase their work for 27 years.
COVID-19 has hit art galleries and the arts community hard. The stop in tourism, canceled events, and pullbacks in venturing out have made it tough for small businesses and nonprofits, including galleries and arts groups.
Local galleries and artists need our support right now. Some are only offering virtual exhibits while others including Art One are open.
We need to do our best at the community, consumer, and government levels to support local galleries and artists. They help drive tourism and local visitors to places such as Old Town Scottsdale. The arts community (including galleries such as Art One and others) are very important parts of the brand for Scottsdale and the brand for Arizona.
There are local governments stepping up and helping small businesses and the arts community. We need more of that as the state navigates COVID.
We also need to think even more locally as consumers. That includes supporting the Art One Gallery and other galleries in Scottsdale, Phoenix, and other Valley cities.