Chum protecting artist, thus providing cover (7)
I believe the answer is:
parasol
'cover' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'chum protecting artist thus' is the wordplay.
'chum' becomes 'pal' (both can mean a friend).
'protecting' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are held or protected).
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'thus' becomes 'so' (synonyms).
'ra'+'so'='raso'
'pal' enclosing 'raso' is 'PARASOL'.
'providing' is the link.
(Other definitions for parasol that I've seen before include "Sunshade" , "Desert Shield?" , "Light umbrella giving shade from sun" , "It's put up to provide shade" , "aeroplane" .)