The Florida Keys are unique for their natural beauty and for the amazing creative people who live here. The Studios of Key West has important information that can help artists get back on their feet. We know that you make art because of your passion–not for the money, so a disaster like Hurricane Irma can nudge a tenuous financial situation into a full-blown disaster of its own.
We need you in our community, and we want you to continue to share your talents with us. Please read the message from the Studios below, and as always if you need help navigating your insurance claims and FEMA applications, FIRM is ready to help.
Dear Friends of The Studios,
I’m sure we’ll be sorting out the lessons of Irma for years, but the first thing on our mind today is
gratitude – for this beautiful island of ours, the people who live here, and our capacity for
regeneration.
At The Studios, our first concern is for the artists who are the lifeblood of our creative community .
If you’re an artist, let us know what you need. If you know artists in need, please encourage them to
contact us; simply navigating what’s available can be disorienting. In the meantime, here are some
fantastic links from our friends at CERF+ (who have a great website), ranging from how to beat mold to
finding cash assistance:
Locally, both the Florida Keys Council of the Arts and the Community Foundation of the Florida
Keys are collecting donations and will be distributing grants. We’ll be coordinating with them, too.
As for us here at The Studios, our building on Eaton Street suffered some damage, but the 20 people
who sheltered here – including kids, pets, and reporters from WLRN and the Miami Herald – all came
through unharmed. We’re back at work in our offices and expect to be open to the public again next
week.
Stay safe, and look out for your neighbors,
Jed Dodds
The Studios of Key West