Up-to-date news and resources for the arts and culture field
Americans for the Arts continues to closely monitor recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Federal and D.C. governments as developments evolve concerning the coronavirus. Our organization cares about the health and safety of our members, stakeholders, staff, and board in communities across the country, and we understand that health, work, and travel require personal decisions that individuals must make for themselves.
While the situation continues to unfold, we will keep this page updated daily as news and information becomes available.
Contact Ruby Lopez Harper (rharper@artsusa.org) if you have information to share on this page.
Americans for the Arts Events News
Staring Monday, March 16, Americans for the Arts offices in DC and NYC will be closed and staff will be working remotely and available by phone, email and video conferencing. We have also decided to suspend staff travel through March 31. We will be hard at work from home monitoring the situation and continuing to provide services and support to the arts and culture field.
Information about the latest developments related to various Americans for the Arts Events:
2020 National Arts Advocacy Day Summit has been cancelled - Updates coming soon about Virtual Briefings including advocacy for stimulus relief for the arts related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak.
2020 Nancy Hanks Lecture has been postponed.
We are still planning to convene the Annual Convention and the Public Art & Civic Design Conference this June in Washington, D.C. Should the status of these meetings change, we will reach out immediately to those registered and post cancellation notices on the Americans for the Arts website.
What's the economic impact?
We're gathering data and impact stories through this survey link. The survey will capture a broad spectrum of data and stories that will demonstrate how the arts and culture workers triumphed and survived this crisis as well as the effect of the outbreak on operations through cancelled events, lost wages, and additional expenses. We encourage you to share this survey with your communities.
We've also gathered the following helpful articles:
San Francisco Chronicle Datebook article asking folks not to let the arts die because of the Coronavirus – and wash your hands.
Denver Post article about the effect on concerts and arts and cultural events.
While the arts are not specifically referenced, this is a helpful article from Nonprofit Quarterly on the early impact on NPO events.
Washington Post article about the need for cultural events where we gather together in the time of plague. (paywall present)
Crain's Cleveland Business article about artists in Akron, OH.
Rolling Stone article on touring musicians.
How Can You Prepare?
Read our blog for information on basic actions you can take.
Assign someone in your organization to track the latest developments and news. They can sign up for the CDC’s email updates here and for the WHO's email updates here.
Map that shows where cases have been confirmed and how many.
The Washington Post has a tracker newsletter you can sign up for that will publish Monday-Friday.
King County in Seattle has shared COVID-19 fact sheets in multiple languages.
Thinking about event cancellation? Springboard for the Arts shared a principles for ethical cancellation.
Are You or Do You Know an Artist or Arts Organization Affected?
Funding/Grants
Boston establishes an artist relief fund.
Musicians Foundation is accepting aid applications.
Ijeoma Oluo has started a GoFundMe campaign to support artists in Seattle affected.
Rauschenberg announced an Medical Emergency grant program for artists.
The Columbus Foundation has launched a relief fund. Applications may be submitted that detail and document unexpected loss of revenue and/or unexpected increases in expenses directly related to the Coronavirus.
Springboard for the Arts has several resources and relief funds.
Art News reports that New York small art galleries and NPOs could be eligible for emergency funds.
Resources and Information
This is a small collection of the most relevant webinars available:
SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, March 19 at 3:00p; Arts and Culture Sector and the Coronavirus: What we know and how to move forward? hosted by Americans for the Arts.
Prepare Your Organization for the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak hosted by the Event Safety Alliance
Coronavirus Preparedness for Theatres hosted by Theater Communications Group
Community Conversation on COVID19 hosted by the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable
We have assembled service organization resource pages:
Are you a freelance artist? A great crowd sourced resource list is available.
National Endowment for the Arts informative FAQ document.
ArtsReady has great tools and resources to share.
Artist Thrive assembled a listing of helpful resources for artists.
South Carolina Office of Rural Health post touching on rural resources
Minnesota Theatre Alliance published a resource page.
NASAA published a resource page for State Arts Agencies.
APAP published a resource listing.
CERF+ published an update and resource listing geared for craft artists.
Are you thinking about going digital?
Howlround has published a helpful blog with examples and resources.
CMX published a blog with guidance for digital events and event cancellation.
Seattle Symphony announces free video broadcasts and livestrems.
Fight the stigma, be kind to each other and remember to wash your hands.
LA Times article decrying anti-Asian bigotry and misinformation amid the outbreak. (paywall present)
Fakequity released a blog focused on who needs extra attention right now.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention released a blog about mental health care.
LA Times article cites instances of Asian American bias and misinformation. (paywall present)
King County published a group of helpful anti-stigma resources.
Medium article on recognizing your privilege during the outbreak.
The Atlantic article on tips for social distancing.