Arts District facilities to go on 'red alert' Sept. 1

The School of Theatre will participate in a nationwide effort to draw attention to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the live events industry by lighting the exterior of the Theatre Building, Pavilion Theatre, School of Music Recital Hall and the water tower between the Stuckeman Family and Theatre buildings in red on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 9–10:30 p.m. Buildings, structures and residences across the country will be lit in red starting at 9 p.m. local time, with a goal of raising public awareness that the live events industry is on “red alert” for its survival, and encouraging Congress to pass the RESTART Act, intended to help small businesses. According to #BeAnArtsHero, a grassroots coalition of arts and cultural workers, 62 percent of arts workers report that they are fully unemployed, while 94 percent report income loss due to COVID-19. To date, the average arts worker reports $23,500 in lost revenue this year. In addition, 66 percent of arts workers report they are unable to access the spaces, staff, resources or supplies needed to perform their work. For more on the September 1 event, organized by #WeMakeEvents, #RedAlertRESTART and #ExtendPUA, visit https://www.usitt.org/news/wemakeevents-redalertrestart-light-1500-buildings-red.