COVID-19 Resources

National Endowment for the Arts Funding (updated January 2022): The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“Rescue Plan”) is designed to fuel the nation’s recovery from the devastating economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts (“Arts Endowment”) in this historic legislation represent a significant commitment to the arts and a recognition of the value of the arts and culture sector to the nation’s economy and recovery. The NEA started notifying American Rescue Plan (ARP) grant awardees on January 7, 2022.
It is absolutely essential that organizations interested in applying for future NEA grant opportunities are registered with SAMS.gov and Grants.gov, since registration takes time and organizations must be registered in order to apply. Here is information about SAMS and Grants.gov. An archived guidelines webinar is available, as are Frequently Asked Questions. For more information, visit arts.gov.

FEDERAL FUNDING: key components of federal Covid-19 legislation

Here is an overview of assistance for small businesses and organizations, and a breakdown of the options for nonprofits from the National Council of Nonprofits.

Paycheck Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program ended on May 31, 2021, but existing recipients may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

Employee Retention Tax Credits: A bipartisan bill was introduced in early December 2021 to restore Employee Retention Tax Credits for small businesses that had to let employees go due to COVID-19. We will update this page as the bill progresses. In the meantime, IRS Notice 2021-65 provides guidance to employers on dealing with the retroactive repeal of the Employee Retention Tax Credit for the fourth quarter of 2021 enacted as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law on November 15. The Notice explains how nonprofits anticipating the ERTC are to revise their payments and paperwork.

New Charitable Giving Incentives: An “above-the-line” or universal charitable giving incentive for contributions made in 2020 of up to $300. This provision will now allow all non-itemizer taxpayers (nearly 90% of all taxpayers) to deduct charitable contributions from their tax returns, an incentive previously unavailable to them. For taxpayers that itemize returns, the limit on the total percentage of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) eligible for the charitable deduction has been lifted. The limit on corporate contributions has been lifted to 25%.

COLLECTED RESOURCES

Alliance of Artists Communities Covid-19 Preparedness for Residencies
Americans for the Arts Resource and Response Center
AWP’s Online Resources for Writers
BOMB Magazine’s Closing the Distance: New Spaces for Community (online tools, workshops, and livestreams).
BOMB Artist Resources
Council on Foundations
Creative Capital
Grantmakers in the Art
National Reopening Checklist
Nonprofit Finance Fund: Covid-19 Tools and Resources for Nonprofits

STATE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

This interactive tool from National Conference of State Legislatures allows users to view and filter state actions using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds by location and category.

Arizona Commission on the Arts COVID-19 News
California Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Relief
California Arts Council Resources
Colorado COVID-19 Resources for the Creative Industries
Delaware Division of the Arts COVID-19 Resources and Information
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
Arts for Illinois Relief Fund
Illinois Arts Work Fund
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs COVID-19 resources
Maine Arts Commission COVID-19 Resources and News
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Missouri ArtSafe Certification
New York City Small Business Assistance
New York State Council on the Arts
Robin Hood Relief Fund (New York)
North Carolina Arts Council Emergency Resources
Ohio Arts Council COVID-19 Updates
Oregon Community Foundation
Rhode Island State Council for the Arts COVID-19 Resources
Arts South Dakota COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Vermont Arts Council COVID-19 Resources and Funding
Virginia Commission for the Arts COVID-19 Resources
Washington ArtsFund COVID-19 Impact Study and Resources
ArtsWA Covid-19 Resources and Updates
4Culture COVID-19 Response Hub (King County, WA)
Inspire Washington Covid-19 Advocacy and Resources
Grow Wisconsin Creatively Resiliency Fund

RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS (National/Local)
What the CARES Act Means for Freelancers
How Freelancers Can Claim Paid Sick Leave

Relief Funds (many are not accepting applications anymore, but may serve as models to begin other funds or to increase donations to these).
Coronavirus 2020 Artist Relief Funds (spreadsheet of funds)

Alliance of Artists Communities Emergency Funds for Individual Artists Participating in Residencies
American Society of Journalists & Authors Writers Emergency Assistance Fund
Artist Relief Tree
Artist Trust’s COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund (Washington State)
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund. You can donate to the fund here.
Authors League Fund
Boston Artist Relief Fund
Cambridge Artist Relief Fund (for organizations also)
Carnegie Fund for Authors
Columbus Artist Relief Fund
Denver Relief Fund
Disabled Creator and Activist Pandemic Relief
Dramatists Guild Foundation
Emergency Relief Fund for Artists in Minnesota
Freelancers Relief Fund
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Emergency Fund for Artists
Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (Indianapolis area) Max Kansas City’s Emergency Grants (New York City)
Mayer Foundation
NC Artists Relief Fund
New Orleans Business Alliance’s Relief Fund
NYC Low-Income Artist/Freelancer Relief Fund
PEN America Writers’ Emergency Fund
Philadelphia Writers’ Emergency Fund
Portland Area Artist Emergency Relief Fund
Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund
Santa Fe Culture Connections Coalition Artist Relief Fund
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Seattle Artist Relief Fund
Soze Agency Artist and Activist Relief Fund
Spokane Arts
Sustainable Arts Foundation
Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (ASJA)

ECOSYSTEM RESOURCES
LitHub on How You Can Support Bookstores
How Regional Indie Bookstore Associations Are Helping
Binc Steps in for Booksellers in Need
McSweeney’s ways to support independent bookstores
Indies Launching GoFundMe Campaigns
ABA Coronavirus Resources for Booksellers
Book Industry Charitable Foundation (for booksellers)

SUPPORT
ABA on Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other
The Creative Independent: On Staying Calm and Centered

VIRTUAL EVENTS
Springboard for the Arts on ethical cancellations
Best Practices for Virtual Events and Readings
A Guide to Hosting Virtual Events with Zoom
HowlAround
Crowdcast.io
Zoom: “How do I host a video meeting?”
Zoom Training Resources
How to Look Best on a Webcam
Vimeo: “How to plan a virtual event: Vimeo’s live production experts tell all”
Virtual Learning and Engagement Resources for Educators and Parents (via Netgalley)

Fractured Atlas: Transitioning to a Virtual Workplace