From Sue O’Halloran:
Over the years, our storytelling community has shown extraordinary generosity whenever one of our own has faced a health crisis, financial hardship, or personal loss.
Time and again, storytellers have organized fundraisers and offered support with remarkable compassion. At the same time, we’ve all recognized that caring for one another in times of crisis requires resources beyond what our individual organizations or communities can provide. Rather than trying to create those services ourselves, I believe we have an opportunity to connect more fully with an organization that already exists to support performing artists.
For the past several years, I have been in conversation with the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF)—formerly The Actors Fund. Founded in 1882, ECF serves professionals across the performing arts and entertainment industries through counseling, support groups, career services, financial assistance, housing resources, educational webinars, and much more. You can learn more at www.entertainmentcommunity.org.
While professional storytellers are not yet specifically listed among the artistic disciplines ECF serves, they have welcomed our efforts to introduce them to our profession. One of the best ways we can continue that conversation is by becoming familiar with the organization and participating in the many resources already available.
At present, eligibility for ECF’s financial assistance programs generally includes employment and income requirements, such as:·
1. Documentation of professional performing arts earnings for the most recent five consecutive years (2022-2026) · At least three separate years must document an annual income of $10,000 minimum.·
2. For those over 60 years old, document 20 years of performing arts income with a minimum of 10 years of at least $5000 annual earnings. (Eligibility requirements may change over time, so please consult the ECF website for current information. We are currently in conversations with ECF to help them understand that we are “Performing Artists,” not “educators” per se.)
Here’s how you can help:
1. Register with ECF.
Create an account through the ECF Portal as a “Performing Artist” so you can receive information about webinars, support groups, educational programs, and other resources. If you live near New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, consider attending an event in person. The more storytellers who engage with ECF, the more opportunities there are for them to become familiar with our profession.
2. Let me know if you become involved.
If you register, attend a webinar, participate in a program, or otherwise connect with ECF, I’d appreciate hearing about it. Please send me a note at info@susanohalloran.com. As conversations with ECF continue, it will be helpful to share examples of storytellers who are already engaging with the organization.
3. Consider becoming an ECF member.
For an annual membership of $25, you’ll receive information about the Fund, its programs, and upcoming events while supporting its mission.
4. Spread the word.
Please share this information with other professional storytellers who may benefit from these resources.
5. Suggest other organizations.
I’m also researching additional organizations that support performing artists. If you know of one that might welcome professional storytellers, I’d love to hear from you at info@susanohalloran.com.
This is a long-term effort. My hope is that, over time, professional storytellers will become more widely recognized within the broader performing arts community and that our colleagues will have greater access to the outstanding services organizations like the Entertainment Community Fund provide.Thank you for helping strengthen our profession and for supporting one another.
Warmly, Sue O’Halloran
Storyteller and International Storytelling Center Board Member
susan@susanohalloran.com
www.SusanOHalloran.com