COVID-19

Here are resources for individual artists including emerging funding opportunities:

• NEW! Artist Relief support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.
  

• COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
  This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.
• Filing for Unemployment Due to COVID-19
  Make sure to get your unemployment application into the state if you lost your artist job, side gig, or any employment income due to COVID-19. On March 20, 2020, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order and administrative action aimed at providing certainty and economic relief for those facing financial hardship because of COVID-19, increasing access to unemployment benefits.
• The Actors Fund offers emergency financial assistance that helps artists in the performing arts and entertainment field in need.

• Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
• CERF+ Artist Emergincy Relief Grants related to COVID-19 will focus on those infected with the virus that require intensive medical care. CERF+ was started by artists for artists in the community as a grassroots mutual aid effort. 

• Emergency Relief Fund for Arizona Artists and Arts Professionals provides provide emergency relief grants of $500-$1,500 to artists and arts professionals experiencing cancelled events and residencies or terminated contracts due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

• Foundation of Contemporary Arts Artist Relief Fund is open to U.S.-based artists who've fallen on hard times because of the coronavirus outbreak. If you've had a performance or show canceled because of COVID-19, apply.

• Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is for musicians or music industry workers who lost 50% of your income, you're eligible to apply to this fund.

• Musicians Foundation Fund is for United States-based musicians who've been active for the past five years are eligible to apply for a microgrant. Keep in mind, this fund also asks for paperwork proving that most of your income has come from your work as a musician. We're also not sure how they define a "professional musician" but there is an email on the page where you can inquire for more information.

• PEN American Writer's Emergency Fund is for professional (published or produced) writers and editors who are in acute financial crisis. PEN America writes on their site that they'll be updating with more critical information on March 25.

For emergency planning resources for arts and culture organizations including sample stakeholder communications, international artist travel, event preparation, guidance for businesses, and workplace readiness, we recommend the following websites:

• NEW! NEA CARES Act Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations
  The National Endowment for the Arts will make one-time grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. Grants will be made either to organizations for their own operations, or to designated local arts agencies for subgranting programs to eligible nonprofit organizations. The deadline to apply directly to the NEA is April 22, 2020 with the earliest announcement of grant award by June 30.
• CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds: Independent Sector
• Coronavirus: Are you Prepared for a Temporary Closure?: National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response
• Preparing for Potential Impact of the Coronavirus: Arts Ready
• Arts and Culture Sector Can Prepare for the Coronavirus in the United States: Americans for the Arts
• COVID-19 – Resources and Information for the Museum Field: American Alliance of Museums
• Emergency Preparedness and Response: Association of Performing Arts Professionals
• Event Safety Alliance: How to Prepare your Organization for the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak
• Creative Capital: Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• The Nonprofit Finance Fund: COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Nonprofits
• State of Arizona COVID-19 Unemployment Information

Emergency funding has been on top of mind of most arts and culture organizations. We are sorry to report that at this point in the fiscal year, the Office of Arts and Culture doesn't have unallocated funds that can be repurposed for emergency support grants. However, we have found ways to ease restrictions, convert some project grants to operating support, and offer more flexibility around timelines of current project grants. Here are other funding resources that may be of service:

• Office of Arts and Culture FY21 Grants: Please note, the grant deadline for FY21 has been extended to April 1, 2020.
• Small Business Administration: Small business owners, including arts and cultural nonprofits in Arizona are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• The Arizona COVID-19 Community Response Fund was established by the Arizona Community Foundation and is receiving support from individuals, corporations, and foundations from across the state. The fund provides immediate relief to nonprofit organizations in Arizona facing an increased demand for services from clients and communities as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
  

• Increase how often frequently touched surfaces are cleaned throughout the day; and make more disinfecting products available throughout your facility.
• Encourage your staff, volunteers, and visitors to follow recommended hygiene practices; such as following proper hand-washing procedures and covering mouths when coughing and/or sneezing.
• Investigate remote work policies and practices to minimize employees’ physical interactions while maintaining work continuity. Encourage team members to stay home when not feeling well. Lessen travel schedules.
• Share information with audiences and patrons on how you are responding, (i.e., sanitizing all spaces and doing so more deeply than usual, and providing more flexible ticket return policies).
• Consider limiting physical contact, such as looking at tickets rather than physically exchanging them.
• Review and update your cancellation or closure policies and practices, in case you decide it is best for your institution and the community. Has the policy been communicated to all staff? What might the financial implications be? What do artist contracts say about it? Is your insurance up to date and helpful with these types of events?
• Plan for operational impact through various scenarios. Actions to prepare for include staffing levels and staff locations; income/expense changes; communicating with staff, board, and audiences; and connecting with authorities to know when to make prudent changes to your operations.

Be sure to check in with credible health sources including:

- CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

- Maricopa County Public Health Department – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

- Arizona Public Health System COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

​We hope this information is helpful. As we continue to watch and prepare for the coming weeks, we will be tracking local response and welcome your questions. Please reach out with updates, questions, and other resources to arts.culture@phoenix.gov. 

​The Office of Arts and Culture staff are teleworking. If you need assistance or would like to make a telephone appointment, please email us at arts.culture@phoenix.gov or visit our staff page for individual contact information.