Monday, March 16 Update

by Nicole Mullet March 16, 2020
Posted in Resources

Good afternoon, 

I want to thank all of you who continue to stay in touch with us during this time of rapid change to share insight, ideas, resources, and concerns.  The daily impact on arts, culture, environment, and entertainment in our world and in Summit County is constantly evolving, and your partnership is invaluable.

We are better, stronger, and smarter together. I am grateful for all of you daily, but never before has your voice, leadership, and commitment to our community been more clear.

What follows are three requests that are explained in greater depth below:

1. We need your voice and advocacy with our representatives as they review a bipartisan COVID-19 bill

2. Artists and teaching artists to participate in a survey at your earliest convenience.

3. For-profit and not-for-profit cultural and entertainment organizations: Please participate in this survey at your earliest convenience.

As of this afternoon, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is requesting to postpone in-person voting in the state until June 2nd, 2020. Additionally, the following will close at the end of business today (3/16); Fitness Centers and Gyms, Bowling alleys, public rec centers, movie theaters, indoor water, and trampoline parks. Please make note of this and share with your staff, volunteers, and patrons in our ongoing effort to keep our community safe and informed

Finally, in accordance with State of Ohio directives banning large gatherings, and out of an abundance of caution, the Ohio Arts Council has made the decision to reschedule the 2020 Arts Impact Ohio conference and preconference, originally planned for May 6-8, 2020 in Akron, Ohio. They look forward to holding the two-day event in its entirety, including the one-day arts learning preconference, in Akron as planned, at the earliest viable date. 

Thank you again for your wisdom, commitment to community, and thoughtful leadership during this time.

You are not alone.

In gratitude, 

Nicole

Advocacy: Action Alert!

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package that has strong implications for the artist residency network. The Senate is expected to take up the bill today – Monday, March 16, and the White House has signaled support. We ask that leaders across our network call or email their Senators today (Monday, March 16th) and ask that they pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act. (Find your Senate contact information here). Let them know that this legislation is critical to nonprofits across the US and the millions of workers they employee and artists they support.

Talking points and details can be found here: https://www.artistcommunities.org/news/advocacy-alert-covid-19-relief-bill-senate-today

Survey for Artists

We are working with colleagues across the state to identify the immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19 and safety precautions implemented on artists and teaching artists.

Ohio Citizens for the Arts has requested this form be completed by all artists to determine impact statewide and locally as they advocate for resources. Please take 10-15 minutes to complete:  https://forms.gle/VVkGR93hh6FaG8yg6

Survey for Business/Nonprofit Organizations

We are working with colleagues across the state to identify the immediate and long-term impact of COVID-19 on our cultural business/nonprofit organizations. Please complete this survey as soon as is reasonable for you: https://forms.gle/U7xGNJqNUXnPbDG26

Resources for Individuals

Unemployment: 

Based on Governor DeWine’s Sunday press conference (3/15) unemployment will be established immediately at ⅔ rate of pay for anyone out of work as a result of COVID-19.

  • This is inclusive of people home for childcare
  • You CAN access unemployment if you’re part-time
  • If you’ve been declaring your tips, your amount will be based on that information
  • ODJFS indicated that unemployment will not be extended to individuals who previously would not have qualified and that includes self-employed individuals as they haven’t been paying into the UI system. The new policy is to eliminate the waiting week so benefits flow immediately and allows individuals to apply for UI if an employer or medical professional orders a quarantine (assuming they would be eligible for general UI criteria). These folks will also have the work search requirement waived during this time.

Artist Trust

In response to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), Artist Trust has created a growing list of resources to support artists. Please share this list and any of the resources found below.

If you wish to add any resources, please submit it on our Opportunities page.

https://artisttrust.org/covid-19-resources-list/

CERF+ Emergency Relief Fund 

Artists who have suffered from a recent, career threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire or natural disaster, can apply for funding. CERF+ also has a list of resources centered around the pandemic.

Bartender Emergency Services – Due to high-demand this service may be slow to respond.

Freelance Artist Resources

A list of resources specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community, including actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, and more.

Rauschenberg Emergency Grant

NYFA and the Rauschenberg Foundation have teamed up to offer visual and media artists and choreographers in the US grants of up to $5,000 for medical related emergencies.

Small Business Resources

Greater Akron Chamber

is doing a fantastic job of keeping their COVID-19 site updated with resources. You can also read their announcement from Sunday, March 15th which includes a useful summary of the Governor’s announcement.

Small Business Administration Emergency Loans

The Ohio Development Services Agency

The Ohio Development Services Agency is preparing to submit an application in the coming week to qualify Ohio for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. 

  • This program provides low-interest loans up to $2 million in order to help businesses overcome the temporary loss of revenue during the state of emergency. (Non profit organizations in Ohio will also be eligible for low-interest loans through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.)
  • Complete the state’s application, businesses impacted by the current public health crisis should immediately send their contact information to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.gov. 
  • Additional information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program is available at SBA.gov/Disaster.

Ohio SBDC 

Small Business Development Center – Located in Bounce for in person support https://akronsbdc.org/

Liquor buyback program
  • High proof liquor purchased from state in last 30 days can be returned for reimbursement
  • Bars and restaurants wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should return their unopened, high-proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. 
  • This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. If a business has questions about this program, they should reach out directly to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center (LESC) at 1(877)812-0013 or by emailing OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.

Online Training/Messaging

Artist in a Time of Global Pandemic – Webinar

Join us and share on Monday 16 March for the free livestreaming webinar: Artists In a Time of Global Pandemic. Tune in at 2 p.m. HST Honolulu / 4 p.m. AKDT Anchorage / 5 p.m. PDT Los Angeles / 6 p.m. MDT Denver / 7 p.m. CDT Chicago / 8 p.m. EDT New York.

Independent Artists/Teaching Artists

All sectors are affected by the Covid-19 pandemia but we are very much aware that the alternative and independent art scene is / will be particularly under pressure. This list of resources has been compiled, in partnership with Circostrada*, as a way to gather information and initiatives internationally (particularly in Europe, Asia and the USA) that can be useful to share, know about and/or be inspired from. 

http://on-the-move.org/news/article/20675/corona-virus-resources-arts-culture-and-cultural/?

Prosper Strategies

Your organization is likely facing difficult decisions about whether to change service delivery methods, cancel or reschedule upcoming fundraising events, resort to staffing and financial backup plans, allow remote work and paid time off, and more. But the work doesn’t stop when the decisions are made. You also have to communicate those decisions with your anxious stakeholders, and you have to do so in a timely and accurate manner despite the fact that everything seems to change by the minute. It’s enough to make any nonprofit leader’s head spin. We’re here to help.

In this live webinar, we’ll break down:

  • Best practices and considerations for communicating with your stakeholders in real time in the age of coronavirus
  • Managing the media should your organization be contacted surrounding its management of coronavirus risk
  • What to do if you have to cancel an in-person fundraising event (including ideas for taking events virtual)
  • Adjustments to the 2020 fundraising outlook due to coronavirus and what you can do now to minimize losses
  • What to do if your team is overwhelmed managing coronavirus communications, event adjustments etc.

We’ll also take your questions and share valuable resources that will help your nonprofit through this difficult time.

Attendance will be capped at 250 people, so please show up early to guarantee your spot.

Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5840589679612654861

Americans for the Arts

https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/arts-and-culture-sector-can-prepare-for-the-coronavirus-in-the-united-states#tab-product_tab_overview

As the Coronavirus (COVD-19) continues to develop, it’s important that Local Arts Agencies and arts and culture organizations consider their preparedness, prevention, and response. Join members of Americans for the Arts’ staff, Ruby Lopez Harper, John Rubsamen, and Narric Rome, with Jan Newcomb, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response, Barbara Davis, Chief Operating Officer of The Actors Fund, and Rhonda Schaller, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Visiting Associate Professor at Pratt Institute to hear current information about actions to take, including planning to consider, handling grant-funded projects, managing stress during moments of crisis, and continuing to support artists. This briefing will also include an update on the status of congressional action on economic impact and stimulus funding and how it relates to the arts and cultural sector.

Alliance of Artists Communities

AAC is offering an online share-out to discuss the response to COVID-19 in the residency field. Join us for Resources + Approaches for Residencies Navigating COVID-19 this  Thursday, March 19 from 1-2pm EST. You can read more about this and sign up here.

Social Media to Follow

ArtsNow
Twitter: @ArtsNow_Ohio
Facebook: @SummitArtsNow
Instagram: @artsnowoh
Governor Mike DeWine
Twitter: @GovMikeDeWine
Facebook: @GovMikeDeWine
Instagram: @govmikedewine
Ohio Department of Health

Facebook: @OHdeptofhealth

Twitter: @OHdeptofhealth
Instagram: @ohiodepartmentofhealth

Summit County Public Health
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Summit-County-Public-Health-167170254111

Twitter: @SCPHOH

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Facebook: @CDC

Twitter: @CDCgov

Instagram: @CDCgov

Ohio Jobs and Family Services

Facebook: @OhioJFS

Twitter: @OhioJFS

National Endowment for the Humanities
Twitter: @NEHgov

Facebook: @NEHgov
Instagram: @NEHgov

National Endowment for the Arts

Facebook: @NationalEndowmentfortheArts
Twitter: @NEAarts
Instagram: @neaarts