Dear Friends and Supporters of the Performing Arts,
Greetings from Jamie and Isabella! Throughout our careers, we’ve performed on stages worldwide alongside remarkable artists at every stage of their journeys. Time and again, we’ve been moved by our community’s resilience, the solidarity of artists in times of need, and the generosity of those who champion the Arts.
This year, as proud Co-Chairs of the AGMA Relief Fund Holiday Drive, we invite you to join us in supporting a cause dear to our hearts and vital to our AGMA community.
The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and giving. As two women coming from the ballet and opera worlds, we are acutely aware of the challenges our performing arts community faces—and we are reminded daily of how much we owe to the generosity and solidarity of those who support the Arts.
The AGMA Relief Fund offers emergency assistance to AGMA Artists in need, serving as a crucial lifeline in these increasingly uncertain times for the Arts. Financial hardship can arise without warning—a canceled contract, an injury and unexpected medical expense, a personal tragedy, or a global crisis can leave an artist suddenly struggling to make ends meet. For emerging artists and apprentices, these challenges are especially daunting, often threatening to derail a career before it even has the chance to begin. When artists struggle, it’s often those from marginalized communities who suffer most, facing systemic inequities that make already difficult circumstances even harder to overcome.
The AGMA Relief Fund is a backstop—a foundation of support behind us. It offers stability as we navigate instability. The AGMA Relief Fund doesn’t just provide financial assistance; it offers hope. It tells us when we face a crisis, “You’re not alone. Your community has your back.” In an often unforgiving profession, that message can make all the difference.
This holiday season, we invite you to join us in supporting the AGMA Relief Fund. A donation, no matter the size, can help an artist pay their rent, cover a medical bill, or put food on the table. It can be the difference between staying in the industry and leaving it behind.
Let’s come together to ensure that the artists who bring so much beauty and meaning into our lives can continue singing, dancing, teaching, and tirelessly working behind the scenes to bring productions to life. Let’s show them that their work—and their well-being—matters deeply to us. Whether you contribute through a tax-deductible donation or by helping us spread the word, your support makes a meaningful difference, and we are deeply grateful.
Visit AGMARelief.org to make your donation today.
With gratitude and hope, and in solidarity,
Jamie Barton & Isabella Boylston
Co-Chairs, AGMA Relief Fund Holiday Drive