Charity
All proceeds from exhibitions and sales of fine art prints and books benefit foundations such as “Behind the Scenes”, “Backup–The Technical Entertainment Charity” and #handforahand.
The Behind the Scenes Foundation serves entertainment technology professionals in the US and Canada. The charity offers three types of grants: Basic Needs grants for entertainment technology professionals, or their immediate dependent family, who are seriously ill or injured that may be used for basic living and medical expenses; Counseling grants to assist with therapy or addiction rehab; and Natural Disaster Relief grants to assist with immediate basic necessities such as food, clothing or medication.
The BTS Mental Health Initiative provides tools to support all entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and wellness. This includes information on suicide prevention, alcohol and substance use, bullying and harassment, effective workplace communication, and common issues such as anxiety and depression. Resources include sample language to talk about mental health with crew, the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder, and tools to help explore career expansion or transition. Training is offered in bystander intervention, how to deal with substance misuse in the work place, and Mental Health First Aid.
Backup – The Technical Entertainment Charity – provides financial support to industry technical professionals working in live events, theatre, TV and film.
Whether it is an industry professional, or their family member who is seriously ill or suffering from an accident and needing support.
Backup works with potential recipients to fully understand the support needed and ensure that help is targeted effectively.
Grants are tailored to an individual’s needs and can include essential living costs, medical related expenses, advice, re-training and travel.
Backup will stay in contact with recipients and provide ongoing support.
Backup – we help people get back on their feet
Due to the Corona pandemic, several hundred thousand events have been cancelled throughout Germany so far. As a result, freelancers, solo self-employed and micro-enterprises in the cultural sector have had to cope with massive losses of revenue. To cushion the existential consequences, the federal, state and local governments have launched emergency aid programs worth billions.
Unfortunately, these measures do not reach all of the freelancers working in the cultural sector whose livelihoods are threatened. Countless freelancers fall through the cracks and, through no fault of their own, will have to rely on basic welfare benefits (Hartz IV).
Freelance stage and sound technicians, lighting technicians, stage hands and event assistants are among the hardest hit and at the same time an indispensable part of our cultural infrastructure. They need fast, unbureaucratic support and solidarity.