Creatives Against Covid-19
Like many of us, Celine Dee, co-founder of RichardsDee, was feeling quite helpless as she sat at home watching the Corona Virus crisis unfold.
Two articles she read really resonated. ISPCC Childline were reporting a 30% increase in vulnerable children seeking help and advice online. Equally, Women’s Aid published content about their deep concern for the safety of women and children affected by domestic abuse during this pandemic.” This became the catalyst for Creatives Against Covid19.
Collaborating with artists and creatives on a daily basis, Celine knew through experience that good design can create meaningful change. Within days, a council of creatives was convened consisting of Shauna Buckley, Emma Conway, Sarah Doyle, Ryan Kavanagh, Fuchsia MacAree, Rory Simms, The Project Twins - a network of talented designers working and living around the world, immediately set to work on a brief and passionately encouraged their networks to get involved.
Inspired by iconic poster campaigns of the past like the WWII ‘Keep Calm And Carry On’ or Obama’s ‘Hope’ poster, under the theme ‘Soon’, they would create a positive, forward-looking campaign that would see artists donate original artworks, sales of which would raise funds for Women’s Aid and ISPCC.
Timing and agility were critical to making this campaign work. It didn’t have to be perfect, it just had to be clear, easy to engage with and within seven days they had created the brief, branding and platform just in time to launch it on the Easter weekend.
Thinking they would receive perhaps 2-300 submissions, within 2 weeks they had received over 1,200 submissions from as far afield as China, Canada, Venezuela, LA, New York Shangai not to mention from at home here in Ireland, blowing away their expectations. Celine is quick to point out that they believe the key to the project's success was the global creative community. The campaign captured their hearts, helping the project go viral.
The timing was also critical, tapping into a globally held sense of frustration amongst creative communities, who were looking for a way to come together whilst being told to stay apart.
With Hen’s Teeth on board as print partners, they aim to have over 1000 posters available for sale at creativesagainstcovid19.com priced at €40 per poster.
Speaking about the campaign, Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid said "Right now, because of the measures necessary to combat Covid-19, women find themselves alone with an abuser who is using this opportunity to further their control. Domestic abuse escalates in times of economic and social crisis, so Women’s Aid has had to escalate too. The funds raised through Creatives against Covid19 will go towards funding the 24 Hour National Freephone Helpline; providing vital one-to-one safety planning, support at court and with legal issues; continuing our campaign highlighting dating abuse and controlling behaviour in relationships; providing training for Gardaí and health professionals; and funding our online lifeline, womensaid.ie. When the crisis passes, our work will continue - thanks to this support.”
Additionally, ISPCC Childline Director of Services Caroline Sullivan reminds us that “Unfortunately, abuse, mental health difficulties and other issues do not stop in a pandemic”.
All proceeds raised from Creatives Against Covid 19 will be equally split between ISPCC Childline and Women’s Aid.
Follow the campaign here:
Instagram: @creativesagainstcovid19
Twitter: @createsvscovid
Facebook: @creativesagainstcovid19
