Dear Sundance Institute family and friends,

As the coronavirus crisis forces festivals including SXSW, Tribeca, and many others to cancel or postpone, we at Sundance Institute stand with our peer organizations, and commend them for making the difficult but responsible choice to prioritize public health and well-being.

As always, we remain dedicated to the safety of our audiences, artists, and staff, and are committed to doing our part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. With that in mind, we have decided to suspend, reschedule, or re-imagine all live programs through April. In the meantime, we will continue to pursue new ways to support and connect artists and audiences online.  

This is a blow to our culture that will have ramifications not only for festivals and artists, but for nonprofits and companies who support them – theaters, performing arts organizations, and film societies in cities around the world. We are devastated for everyone whose lives and careers are being disrupted by this pandemic, especially the artists who are at the heart of all we do. At the same time, we are encouraged by the countless people who have seized this moment to champion independent media, from artists using their social media platforms to shine a light on others’ work to audience members who have rushed to support organizations that have had to cancel events and performances.

In tumultuous times like these, the role of art is even more essential. It can not only entertain us – it can spark creativity, foster compassion, and bring us together. Particularly as we are limiting or foregoing in-person gatherings, we appreciate our connection with you, a global community of artists, supporters, and friends. Like our fellow members of the arts world, we look forward to welcoming audiences back into theaters and live events as soon as we can.

With thanks and solidarity,

Keri Putnam
Executive Director, Sundance Institute