Editor’s note: this story has been updated with corrections and clarifications.
With so many of their artist colleagues abruptly out of work, Chehade and Rosenberg brainstormed the possibility of a New Deal–type arrangement: put unemployed theater practitioners to work making PPE.
For ARM, donations have so far paid about 20 theater artists a piece rate between $2.50 and $3.50 per mask, depending on the design. “Our target is to make sure people are making between $15 and $20 an hour,” said Ahern. They’ve distributed 1,500 items so far to NorthShore University Healthcare Systems, Advocate Aurora Healthcare, and various veteran and eldercare groups. ARM also runs an Etsy store where the general public can purchase face coverings.
With an initial boost in fabric funding from ARM, PPEforHCP has donated more than 20,000 face masks to health-care providers across the country, including 1,200 to Chicago’s IMAN (Inner City Muslim Action Network). PPEforHCP also sent 1,200 surgical masks to the U.S. Veterans Association as well as 100 face shields (full face coverings with clear panels).
During normal times, ProvidePPE’s Larson oversees Adistry, the start-up she created to package and sell ads to the cannabis industry. Now, she’s working with ARM, Uprising, and PPEforHCP as well as ProvidePPE.
Since publication, Uprising has collaborated with ARM to produce keffiyeh masks in honor of World KeffiyehDay, May 11. These masks are available through Etsy.
