Supporting artists through #QuintePeforms

Photo by Robbie Garden

The relationship between professional artists and their audience is an intimate one. But COVID-19 threatened that relationship as venues, galleries and non-essential businesses were forced to close indefinitely. Artists and arts organizations are familiar with being adaptable and resilient, but this lockdown has been undeniably tough.

Inspired by #CanadaPerforms, a short-term relief fund launched by the National Arts Centre and Facebook Canada that pays professional Canadian artists for online performances to help ease the financial strain due to cancelled gigs and shows, the QAC launched our own local contest: #QuintePerforms.

The idea was simple: upload an arts video to Facebook and the one with the most likes and shares within the Facebook group at the end of each voting period (there were two) wins $500.

The response was greater than we could have imagined. We were thrilled to receive submissions from almost two dozen area artists – musicians, singers, visual artists, short filmmakers and poets. The winner of the first round was Michael Faulkner: an accomplished and passionate musician and teacher through the Belleville-based Michael Faulkner School of Music. He submitted one of the first videos – a solo rendition of "I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You".

Now meet Danielle Edwards: a student at Queen's University heading into her second year of Concurrent Education, majoring in geography. She won the second round of #QuintePerforms with her soul-stirring rendition of Rise Up by Andra Day, which held a special place in her heart especially in this time of COVID-19.

We checked in with Danielle, or Danni, to see how she’s been doing, and she replied has been going through quite the journey of adjusting to life back at home as well as physical and mental challenges: “I tend to be an overachiever and overwork, so this time has kind of forced me to take a real break. Community through technology has brought me joy in this time as well as the opportunities to use my gifts, such as music, to help others who may be touched by it. I am looking forward to putting out some new original music in the near future.”

She added: “The arts are a way for many to express their gifts, talents and emotions. Many arts have been lost over generations, but I am in awe with the arts in our community. They are an important representation of self and culture."

Photo by Robbie Garden