Thank you to all in the creative community for doing your part to slow the spread of coronavirus and care for the communities you have worked so hard to create. With the latest announcement by Gov. Baker that public gatherings with more than 25 people are now prohibited under the state’s public health emergency, the creative community is grappling with the longer-term impact on the financial health of nonprofits and artists.
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and Philanthropy Massachusetts are collecting data via a Flash Poll on the impact the public health emergency is having on nonprofit organizations, including the creative community. This information will be important to share with lawmakers and other policy makers as they craft an emergency response to the potentially devastating financial impact of COVID-19. MASSCreative will be advocating to ensure that the needs of the arts and culture sector are considered and included in any economic relief packages.
In the meantime, is it vital that each and every one of us actively work to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. Toward that end the best thing we can each do is stay home, even if we are feeling well, and wash our hands when we do go out.
Below are additional resources for the arts, cultural, and creative community:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 information page.
Arts Ready, an online emergency preparedness service providing a wealth of resources to arts and cultural nonprofit leaders stewarding their organizations through crises.
Americans for the Arts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center. This page includes resources, information, and funding for affected artists and organizations. Includes this blog post with advice to creative organizations about managing the coronavirus public health emergency.
COVID-19 & Freelance Artist Resources, an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund. Employers, including non-profits, with fewer than 50 employees (full and part-time) can access up to $75,000, with no payments for the first six months.
New England Foundation for the Arts COVID-19 Resources. This page monitors developments and has assembled resources for the arts and cultural sector.
Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 information. This page includes guidance for grant recipients whose work has been affected by coronavirus-related shutdowns.
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - Greater Boston has set up an "emergency response panel" of local law firms to advise artists and arts organizations on contracts, insurance, and labor and employment issues that might come up due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Free webinar by Event Safety Alliance, which addresses COVID-19-related crisis planning for small organizations.
CERF+, a grassroots nonprofit that creates safety nets for artists
The National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response.
As always, please keep in mind the burden of racism and xenophobia some members of our community are facing in the public response to COVID-19. As artists, makers, and creators of every race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity, it is critical that we do not let racist messages and stereotypes pass by without comment.
We are creators of art, music, dance, and exquisite beauty. We are also creators of community. As we respond to COVID-19, taking care of ourselves and each other, let us keep our community front and center.
In the weeks to come, we will continue to share resources with the creative community. As our local, state, and federal governments respond to the financial impact of COVID-19, and MASSCreative will be advocating to ensure that the needs of the arts and culture sector are considered and included. If you have ideas to share, please let us know! MASSCreative is here as an advocate and partner to support you.
