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Resources for creatives and art organizations
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Dear Arts Community,
Some resources and thoughts as we enter into week 2 of working remotely.
For artists and creative people.
For those of you who rely for income on commissions, gigs, shows, and other events that have been cancelled or delayed - the immediate crisis is probably April 1, when many people have rent or mortgage payments. Some artists have already lost three weeks of pay and we want to help!
- We are directing every artist to Springboard for the Arts Relief Fund. It’s only $500, but it’s a start.
- ECRAC’s COVID-19 grants. ECRAC is working on a grant program for Region 7E. We hope to have it approved and up and running before the end of the week.
- We are also encouraging everyone to apply for unemployment insurance. Many more people are eligible than usual thanks to Minnesota Governor Walz’s orders. ALSO! If you apply and can’t get it, let us know so we can work to expand eligibility.
- Forum of Regional Arts Councils of Minnesota representatives are on a task force to get Federal Emergency Management Administration payments to anyone who doesn’t qualify for unemployment. It may not work, but we are trying! If you can’t get help, let us know why and we will use your case as an example in the discussions.
For arts organizations or organizations that have art events.
- The Small Business Administration disaster declaration includes non-profits that have trouble meeting payroll because of a loss of income (for example, from a cancelled show or classes). They just started Friday, but non-profits can get a loan at 2.75% interest for up to 30 years. We would encourage every arts organization to consider this if it will help.
Check out these websites for their information:
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/EIDLLoans
https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/employers/
- In addition, for longer term recovery, the Minnesota Council of Foundations is working on the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund to support non-profits and will most likely have large funding partners and will work through the Initiative Foundation in our area. For more information: https://mcf.org/minnesota-disaster-recovery-fund-coronavirus
Recovery period.
- Of course this depends on whether the crisis is one month (unlikely) or 18 months (also unlikely, but who knows) please be aware that the Minnesota arts community is thinking about this and planning for it and the potential health and financial impacts.
In my opinion, often it is times like this that art matters the most. As one of my favorite authors, Haruki Murakami, expressed: "And once the storm is over, you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about."
Please take care or yourselves and each other,
Mary Minnick-Daniels, ECRAC Executive Director
p.s. if you need general coronavirus info you will want to check these out
Springboard for the Arts general coronavirus information page: https://springboardforthearts.org/coronavirus/
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts general coronavirus information page: http://artsmn.org/coronavirus