Keep Pilates & Arts alive and thriving

PLEASE HELP PILATES & ARTS ECHO PARK SURVIVE
THE COVID-19 CLOSURE

Hello treasured Pilates & Arts  fans and friends, old and new! In 2011 I set out to create a warm, welcoming oasis that celebrates wellness, healing, all the arts, and the community. Honestly, the Pilates & Arts studio is all that and more. It is a wellness and arts space, with the mission to enrich lives in every way. During this pandemic, with so much uncertainty, and ensuing financial difficulties, I am making an urgent plea for your support to preserve this community space. 

Let’s say it like it is. We are much more than just a Pilates studio. Yes, we offer very high-quality Pilates, dance and movement instruction, at affordable prices. But the studio is also an art gallery that promotes local artists. We have showcased over 150 artists; hosting art openings, as well as free spoken word and music events. We also donate the space for fund raisers.
We are a community arts space. 

 But the true heart of the studio is the incredible group of instructors who make up the team.
These multi-faceted, ultra-talented, dedicated people care deeply for their clients and students.
Sadly, if the studio doors close, these instructors will lose a major source of their income. Income they need to survive; but also income needed to further their studies in everything from biology and toxicology, to somatic movement therapy, Reiki, sound healing, performing arts, and writing. Our instructors are healers and artists who give of themselves constantly. They volunteer in the community. They create enriching art in all kinds of medium to enhance the lives of others.

 I need your help to keep Pilates & Arts opened for the community. Like most other small businesses, the last few weeks have been challenging, to say the least. Within a week after the mandated closure, we offered virtual Pilates mat and dance classes. This allowed us to stay
connected to clients, AND keep them uplifted and moving.

Online class revenues are barely enough to pay the instructors who are teaching the classes. I
applied for government assistance, but to date I only received a small loan of $2,560.00.
Meanwhile, I need to find a way to pay the studio rent, utilities, and other operating costs that
have been accruing. Both April and May I paid partial rent to hold the space. The current rent
abatement laws allows this, but full rent will be due. I need your support to keep this vital
community resource operating, and to reopen when it’s safe to do so.   

To that end, I need to raise $25,000 to:

1) Pay the rent and utility costs, which must be paid in full once the State lifts the moratorium on rent abatement. 
2) Pay instructors their regular rate when we re-open. Social distancing means less students per class, and therefore, less funds to pay instructors.
3) Pay additional ongoing administrative and operating costs.
4) Prepare the studio for safe re-opening by adding cleaning crew hours; and providing clients
with their own protection kits with such items as masks, gloves, workout props, Pilates socks, 
Pilates foot loops, Pilates reformer carriage covers, and mats.

To thank you for your generosity, for individual donations over $1000, the studio will provide
you with 1 month of unlimited dance/exercise classes, and 3 reformer classes.  

To all donors, we currently have some free/donations based online classes.  Anyone new to our 
studio, the first dance/exercise is always free.  We would love to have you join us online!

Last week, it was announced that the unemployment rate in Los Angeles reached 24%. With this in mind, to help all in the community, when our funding goal is met we offer the following:

For each $100 in donations received, the studio will donate and provide a total of 2 free
dance/exercise classes to anyone impacted by the pandemic.  We will provide up to a total of
400 free/dance exercise  classes. Large donors who wish to transfer their gifts to the free  classes for those impacted by the pandemic can do so, to support the community. 

 Creating this studio has been a labor of love. I cannot express in words how much your support means to the whole Pilates & Arts team. Let's come together to ensure that Pilates & Arts
continues as a community arts resource! Every dollar counts and makes a difference in our goal of continuing to serve the community. Please spread the word about our Go Fund Me. Share the link. Post socially. 

Sending gratitude and love from the Pilates & Arts team.

 STAY SAFE.  STAY STRONG.  STAY HEALTHY.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!