The pandemic has had a profound impact on every single person and business in existence, but small businesses and arts organizations are too often overlooked. From your local vintage clothing store to your favorite college music venue and arts programming institutions Basilica Hudson in upstate New York, there’s a dire need to support the humans and places that create experiences for us, especially now that we can’t actually experience all that much.

With so many fires to put out, it’s tough to know where to even start. But one thing’s for sure: we need music, art, and thoughtful cultural contributions now more than ever. To shine a light on an incredible arts organizations that is a focal point of New York Hudson Valley community, we spoke with Basilica Hudson founder, former bassist of Hole, and artist Melissa Auf der Maur about a bunch of things like: the realities of shifting to virtual programming, the United States’ failing cultural infrastructure, and why she thinks 2022 is going to be the most fun year we’ve had in a long, long time.

How’s it going with shifting to virtual programming? Are you doing anything in person and masked? We saw over the summer you did an outdoor film series and the music series 24 hour drone. What do you imagine winter pandemic Basilica will look like?

As an organization built on elevating independent and innovative voices we are adapting as best as we can and feeling grateful for all we could do this 2020 season. We’ve implemented drive-in movies, online music, conversations and markets, but we are bracing ourselves for a winter of reinvention and ways to sustain into 2021. We are a seasonal venue—so winters have always been hibernation and planning for us anyhow—but this winter will be very different. We are undergoing a big transition and revisiting our mission regardless of the pandemic, but certainly enhanced by the pandemic. We were going to take this 10 year anniversary year to expand the Basilica Green program and mission, which puts the planet and climate crisis at the top of our agenda and leverages the way arts and cultural institutions can play an active role in informing and activating people around the cause. There is so much work to be done to tackle the impacts people have on this planet, and so much opportunity during this pandemic and political nightmare in the USA to unify the people and planet. Basilica wants to play a local and humble role in unifying people around social, economic and climate justice. We have to come together to take on the climate crisis and I believe artists and creative communities are our greatest hope to raise awareness and change.

We read and gathered that you are a person who thrives off of the visceral, communal experiences that Basilica offers throughout “normal times.” How are you personally grappling with trying to keep the artistic entrepreneurial spirit alive while also feeling a deficit of real connection?

I am fortunate to be a mother of a 9-year-old daughter, who keeps me grounded in plenty of visceral human connection, so I am grateful for the extra time we have had as a family during such challenging times. I have lived an incredibly full life of making personal connections, living my whole adult life touring, and immediately segueing into an arts center organizer once I got off the road. Although I do miss live music, talking to strangers and late night new wave dance floors, I have had my share and a simpler life has been good for me and my family. It’s the teenagers coming into themselves that I am more concerned about, and the older generations living isolated lives during the pandemic which have it the worst. I am grateful and exactly where I am meant to be.

As an arts nonprofit in New York State, were you able to receive any federal funding? Are you relying on the community for support? We’re trying to understand and communicate what it is like to be a nonprofits art institution pushing forward through a pandemic.

Being a nonprofit has definitely helped our cause. We had a wonderfully successful Kickstarter campaign in October and despite all the causes, we hit our goal and then some, which will help us through the winter and plan into the spring. However, we have had to let go of the majority of our amazing production team and all the gig economy workers we employed at events—not to mention the 300+ creatives and artists we normally present over the year.

Our network’s ecosystem which we and others rely on is under the most duress. We did get the initial Paycheck Protection Plan that any business was able to apply for in the USA, but that only helped for the first few months. The main concern is that up to 80% of our independent arts and cultural venues will close in the USA. Our cultural infrastructure is suffering and the rebuild will be daunting. The USA does not provide support to such places as more socialized countries like Canada or in Europe. Arts, culture, and community gathering spots are essential to a healthy human experience and we will need them to be there for us on the other side of isolation and Zoom rooms.

“Think Global, Act Local” has never been more important. Everyone, please support your local small businesses, be it shops, restaurants or art centers and shop local online this holiday season. If you live in New York State, you can see our Virtual Basilica Farm & Flea holiday gift guide now.

The pandemic has brought so much grief. But it initially caused people to take a pause (now a full on stop) and reevaluate what is meaningful in their lives and perhaps cultivate more appreciation for what they already have and not what they think they need. Do you think that when Basilica is able to return, that there will be a collective renewed spirit about participating in person, together? Essentially—do you think it will be better than ever?

Raging '20s here we come. 2022 will be one of the greatest celebratory year’s in history, for sure.

I also think that local neighborhoods and small towns will be empowered like never before. You will love your neighbor in a whole new way. We are all taking stock of exactly where we are and with whom, and where we make our home (aka cocoon) and what our essential needs are. I believe so much good will come from that, and sew the roots of a better world. Sure, people may still dream of flying to Paris for the weekend (ha! don't we all!), but our behavior is being changed for us by the will of a virus. Even the most decadent corporate entities have been halted and humbled. I think we will come back more aware of what is necessary. I also think the needs of those who do not have the luxury to think about anything beyond putting food on the table or attending to their families needs are so painfully exposed in particular in the USA, that our gratitude for what that we have will be enhanced.

When do you anticipate opening up again Or only time will tell?

We will plan the return of summer drive-in movies and ongoing virtual conversations, but we’re also beginning to explore partnership with outside venues in our region.

I don't think that any places that rely on gatherings of 100s—as we do—can plan to be back in business in 2021. After the rollercoaster of planning for the unknown this year, hoping for the best but planning for the worst is the way to go.

In our case planning to be creative, think outside the box and reach out to like-minded local arts non-profits with outdoor spaces in the Hudson Valley sounds like FUN to me! Change is good for those lucky enough to be able to adapt and weather it. It is not easy, but learning to live with the unknown is part of all artists and freelancers specialties, so we are positioned well for the moment. We also felt the support during our Kickstarter fundraiser, which gives BIG wind to our sails.

My heart is with all the small public and creative enterprises suffering right now, I do hope their communities help get them through this.