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Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resource for Artists, Creatives, and Small Businesses

Resources, links, and actionable strategies to strengthen your creative endeavors during the #Coronapocalypse.

This page is a being updated daily to share current resources, opportunities, support and information for creative professionals affected by the COVID-19 crisis.  Please get in touch if you have updates or resources to add.

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Emergency Funding and Grants for Artists and Creatives

The Alliance of Artists Communities

In the event of an emergency, the Alliance of Artists Communities can offer support for artists by connecting them with our diverse network of residency programs across the country. By providing the time, space, and support that residencies offer, artists can focus on their work, reflect, and renew their creative practice during an, especially challenging time.

 

Borrow Money From A Supporter Of The Arts

The Financial Solidarity sheet allows folks to borrow or lend emergency funds.

 

Twenty Summers Emergency Art Fund

Twenty Summers is launching an Emergency Arts Fund (EAF) for artists and arts organizations suffering from unexpected and unmanageable financial loss as a result of the Coronavirus.

Funding Available:
Up to $500 for artists, $1,000 for Arts Organizations

KIND OF ARTIST:
Visual artist, musician, actor, author, etc.

KIND OF ARTS ORGANIZATION:
Nonprofit performance venues, arts events series, publishers, theaters, and supporting arts orgs

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
National (U.S.)

LINK TO NOMINATE ARTIST (INCLUDING SELF):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15VLLEXH6kNA84xOvSWOIKphpgdQ67S9Pxf1eXJlP6eA/edit

LINK TO NOMINATE ARTS ORG (INCLUDING OWN):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OfjOUrkbq6ZIOkRGB6iYaJTBy4z-ASnIdf5_Z62ajkE/edit

 

The Haven Foundation

Provides financial support to creatives who lost wages due to a hardship or medical emergency.

 

The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant

The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.

 

Writers Emergency Assistance Fund

The Writers Emergency Assistance Fund helps established freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work. A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant.

 

Musicians Foundation

The Musicians Foundation offers grants for medical and allied living expenses in emergencies, and pay these debts on behalf of the musicians. Grants typically range in amount from approximately $500-$3000.

 

The Cupcake Girls

Financial aid, mental health care, and other crucial services are available for sex workers and those being affected by domestic sex trafficking.

 

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is meant to aid service industry personnel experiencing financial difficulties as a direct result of the outbreak. Eligible applicants can receive a grant, in undisclosed sums, to help pay their bills.

Applicants must be either a bartender or a spouse/child of a bartender and must provide proof of their immediate need.

 

Women In The Arts – List

Get emergency funding for writers, musicians, performers, visual artists, and more.

 

Freelance Artist Resources

A curated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.

 

3Arts.org – List

Discover grant opportunities, emergency funding resources, and pertinent creative biz resiliency tools.

 

Creative Capital Arts Resources

List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

 

Get Emergency Relief If You Have Coronavirus

Craft Emergency Relief Fund emergency assistance includes grants and/or brokered assistance, such as booth fee waivers and discounts or donations on supplies and equipment. CERF+ ‘s emergency relief grants related to Covid-19 will focus on those infected with the virus that require intensive medical care.

 

Local initiatives to help small businesses and creatives

HFLA of Northeast Ohio

The mission of HFLA of Northeast Ohio is to provide interest-free loans to address the financial challenges of residents of Northeast Ohio who lack access to traditional lending sources.

 

The Story Exchange: Localized Help

The Story Exchange pulled together links and other resources to keep you informed and your venture running as smoothly as possible amid the spread of Coronavirus.

 

New York City Small Business Relief loans

The New York City Department of Small Business Services will offer financial assistance to roughly 2,600 businesses. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees that have a 25% drop in sales are eligible for interest-free loans up to $75,000. And businesses with five employees or less may qualify for a cash grant to cover 40% of their payroll costs for up to two months.

 

Northstar Durham Artist Relief Fund 

Funds donated go directly to artists and arts presenters in Durham, North Carolina who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19, with priority given to to BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists.

 

The Dancer’s Fund – Chicago

The Dancers’ Fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals in times of critical health need.

 

I Lost My Gig – Austin, Texas

Report a lost gig and request assistance for lost wages or support an Austin artist.

 

Freelancers must be included in COVID-19 aid

More than one-third of the American workforce works independently — more than 50 million people — and they contribute an estimated $1 billion to the country’s GDP. Our numbers are growing, and government must recognize freelancers as members of this country’s thriving small business community.

To get involved in the fight for freelancers’ rights, contact your local representative with this script.

 

Actionable Ideas, served hot + fresh

 

#JustTheTips is not an elaborate sales pitch masquerading as a resource for creative entrepreneurs.  

 

Get microdoses of achievable inspiration, revealing the mindset, strategy, and business infrastructure of successful brands.

 

Businesses Respond

Postmates

For its couriers, Postmates has created a fund that will credit Postmates for the costs of doctors appointments and medical expenses related to COVID-19’s impact in over 22 states. For merchants, Postmates will waive restaurant commission fees for new merchants in impacted markets, giving small business owners access to on-demand delivery at no additional cost. Both programs will launch early March, 2020.

 

Grubhub

Third-party delivery provider Grubhub Inc. will suspend the collection of commission fees it normally charges to restaurants nationwide to be on its app, up to $100 million.

 

Comcast and T-Mobile

Comcast and T-Mobile to suspend internet data caps for the next 60 days

 

Citi

Fee waivers on monthly service fees and remote deposit capture; waived penalties for early CD withdrawal; Bankers available after hours and on weekends for support.  For eligible Credit Card Customers: Credit line increases and collection forbearance programs. For eligible Mortgage Customers: A range of hardship programs through our service provider, Cenlar FSB. Please contact them at 855-839-6253.

 

Tailwind

A $1 million fund to support small businesses who have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic turmoil, prioritizing those in greatest need.  Recipients will receive a grant valued at $45 for up to 3 free months of Tailwind Plus service to help them through this difficult economic time.

 

Bookmark These Resources

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

 

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Office of Disaster Assistance of the the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is on a mission to provide low interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

 

Coronavirus Resources For Coaches

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.

 

Freelancers & Community Resources 2020

Resources centered around artists and those impacted by gigs being canceled/postponed.

 

COVID-19 Response Resources

A living Google Sheet containing resources to financial relief, opportunities, and trainings.

 

NPR – The Coronavirus Crisis

Everything you need to know about the global outbreak.

 

Springboard For The Arts Resource

Springboard for the Arts is committed to creating, amplifying, and sharing resources to support artists and communities.

 

Americans for the Arts

Up-to-date news and resources for the arts and culture field.

 

The Coronavirus Is Hurting Service, Hourly, And Independent Workers’ Finances. Here’s Some Basic Financial Advice.

BuzzFeed News called a few experts for advice on finances, benefits, and taxes as the coronavirus shuts down restaurants, public gatherings, and businesses.

 

A Daily Report on How COVID-19 Is Impacting the Art World

As international governments take increased precautions to limit the spread of the coronavirus, museums, fairs, and festivals are facing closures and delays.

 

Tools + Apps

The Best Tools For Your Creative Biz

Infrastructure

Get Lean: How To Cut Small Biz Costs + Get Productive

x COVID-19 X

How To Shop Local When You’re Stuck Inside

Unemployment Resources

Collecting Unemployment When You’re Self-Employed

Can you collect unemployment if you are working as a freelancer, independent contractor, or self-employed individual running your own business? It’s worth looking into, as you may be eligible depending on your circumstances.

 

Find Unemployment Benefits By State – United States

COVID-19 (coronavirus) update: The federal government is allowing new options for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits related to COVID-19. For example, federal law allows states to pay benefits where:

  • An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work;
  • An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over; and
  • An individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.

In addition, federal law does not require an employee to quit in order to receive benefits due to the impact of COVID-19.

 

Coronavirus Relief for Freelancers & Small Businesses

“Small businesses and freelancers are going to be hit hard during the COVID-19 hibernation. This group is a sharing platform for those affected. Post relevant news articles, action steps, ideas and frustrations.”

 

/r/Unemployment

A place for your unemployment questions.

Freelance designers: Can I still get paid if I’m affected by coronavirus?

Financial help you are entitled to if you get sick with COVID-19 or if you are unable to work through self-isolation as a freelancer/self-employed worker.

 

Report

10 Things You Can Do Right Now To Support Local Businesses

28 Things You Can Do For Your Creative Biz Right Now During The Coronavirus/COVID-19 Panic