The festival will be providing emergency funds to freelance, self-employed and newly unemployed Verbier Festival Academy alumni — solo, chamber and orchestral instrumentalists, singers, conductors — and alumni Festival production and technical crew facing lost income because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Verbier Festival Emergency Relief Fund has been formed by a group of generous patrons expressing concern for the well-being of these Academy musicians and those who work behind the scenes at the Festival.
The current global health crisis is having a severe impact on the world of arts and culture. Performances and productions have been cancelled for months, causing many artists and creative workers to lose economic and social stability. The Verbier Festival Emergency Relief Fund states it cannot hope to replace entire fees or lost work for everyone, but it aims to make a difference to help those Verbier Festival family members who are most at need.
Applications are open to all freelance, self-employed and newly unemployed Verbier Festival Academy alumni musicians and alumni production and technical personnel, regardless of age and nationality. Funding amounts are determined by magnitude of income lost as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Applications will be accepted at www.verbierfestival.com/en/emergency-relief.
The festival has also launched VF at Home, a programme of online content available on their website. Music lovers can discover archived performances, activities for children and feature programmes.
You can play your part by donating to the fund directly. Find more information at www.verbierfestival.com/en/emergency-relief-donations.