RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
New Funding Opportunities as of August 14
Lehigh County creates Regional/Tourism, Non-Profit and Education/Broadband Relief Funds Lehigh County COVID-19 relief programs now available to tourism/regional entities, non-profits and Education/ Broadband interests
Effective Friday, August 14, 2020, the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners voted to create funding streams to provide relief for non-profits, tourism, regional entities and educational and workforce entities. This is in addition to a fund already established to provide emergency aid for small businesses.
The source of funds for these programs is the Lehigh County COVID-19 Block Grant. Applications for relief from these grant funds must directly correlate with COVID-19 expenses. All related expenses can be charged from March 1, 2020 to December 30, 2020. All COVID-19 grant funds MUST be spent by December 30, 2020.
Applications for all Lehigh County COVID-19 Relief grant programs can be found on the Lehigh County website at lehighcounty.org .
Main Street Lending Program Loans for Nonprofits
On July 17, the Federal Reserve expanded the Main Street Lending Program to certain nonprofit organizations. Previously only available to small- and medium-sized, for-profit businesses, the Main Street Lending Program was established under the CARES Act and is designed to provide businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with additional credit, to help such businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19. Eligible nonprofit organizations may receive between $250,000 and $300 million in loans under the Main Street Lending Program.
To be eligible for loans under the Main Street Lending Program, an organization must:
Eligible nonprofit organizations have two options for their Main Street Lending Program loans: Nonprofit New Loans and Nonprofit Expanded Loans. The minimum and maximum loan amounts are different for each type of loan; however, all loans are subject to the following terms:
LEHIGH COUNTY COVID-19 RELIEF SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM
The Lehigh County COVID-19 Relief Small Business Grant Program is now accepting applications! Lehigh County Council has approved this Grant Program partnered with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce that will distribute $5 million dollars of CARES Act Funds to Lehigh County small businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
Please use this link to view or download the eligibility guidelines to apply for up to $15,000 to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 related expenses.
COVID-19 CULTURAL AND MUSEUM PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM Overview
The COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program provides grants to cultural organizations and museums that experienced a loss of revenue from the closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency by the Governor on March 6, 2020 published at 50 PA.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020), and any renewal of the state of disaster emergency.
EligibilityEligible cultural organizations or museums must be one of the following categories to be eligible for funding through the COVID-19 Cultural and Museum Preservation Grant Program:
The maximum grant is $500,000 per eligible cultural organization or museum. The minimum grant is $25,000 per eligible cultural organization or museum.
How to ApplyApplications will be accepted between June 29, 2020 and July 31, 2020 through the Department of Community and Economic Development Electronic Single Application for Assistance.
Allentown Arts Commission Seeks Innovative Artists for Encouraging Public Art Projects with a $60,000 Grant Program
New fund will award $1,000-$3,000 stipends to artists struggling
through loss of work
THE ART OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Following unprecedented job loss due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Allentown Arts Commission chair, Jane Heft announced a new program which would provide small grants to artists living or working in the City of Allentown. This new project-based program has earmarked $60,000 for the effort.
The “Art of Encouragement Project” will provide stipends of up to $3,000 for artists to create encouraging and uplifting public art and messages to be placed on display throughout the City.
Mayor Ray O’Connell said, “Allentown is home to many extremely talented artists. It is important that we encourage the growth of arts in the community and offer support. These grants are our own little stimulus in these most unusual times.”
“The arts community is integral to the fabric of Allentown,” Leonard Lightner, Director of Community & Economic Development said, “These individuals contribute to the City’s vibrant arts and culture, which is temporarily at risk.”
“We have already seen the tremendous financial effects of the COVID-19 health crisis,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne said. “No one is immune from the negative impact it has had on jobs, businesses and our economy, including artists. As Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Caucus, I am pleased to support this great initiative that not only provides financial support to help artists through these challenging times but also allows them to create messages of hope and encouragement throughout the city of Allentown as the community begins to safely reopen and return to routine activities.”
Under the new fund, artists, artisans, and arts production staff throughout the City can apply for the grants. To apply for an Art of Encouragement grant, visit the Allentown Arts Commission website at AllentownPA.gov/ARTS or AllentownARTS.com. Applications will be accepted, and funds will be distributed on a rolling basis June–October 2020. For more information, contact info@AllentownARTS.com.
About the Allentown Arts Commission
We support the Arts + Artists in Allentown. As the agency that champions the arts, we believe that a creative cultural environment is essential to the city’s well-being and we strive to integrate the arts into all aspects of city life. The Allentown Arts Commission supports the City by advocating for innovative arts policy, creating access for equitable participation in the arts, enlivening the urban environment, and fostering & enriching arts engagement for all residents.
RESOURCE LIST FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
DURING THESE CRITICAL TIMES
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS
Easy to Read Chart on Available Funds for Arts Orgs & Artists
Here is a table that provides info on accessing CARES Act funds from the perspective of a nonprofit arts org, a governmental arts agency, a commercial arts company, a self-employed individual artist, and as a taxpayer.
https://www.artsactionfund.org/CARESActTable
AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS
FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS RELIEF FUNDS PROVIDE ENCOURAGING SUPPORT TO THE NATION’S COMMUNITY-BASED ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS EXPERIENCING $3.6 BILLION IN DEVASTATING LOSSES
Small Business Loans
SMALL BUSINESS LOANS APPLICABLE TO ARTS BUSINESS AND INSTITUTIONS
CARES ACT: PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM-FORGIVABLE FEDERAL LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
CARES Act
THE CARES ACT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
Council of Non-Profits
COUNCIL OF NON-PROFITS: LOANS AVAILABLE TO NON-PROFITS IN THE CARES ACT
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CORONA VIRUS EMERGENCY LOANS SMALLBUSINESS GUIDE AND CHECKLIST https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final_revised.pdf
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
The following arts service organizations are providing frequently updated news and resources for artists and arts organizations. https://www.arts.gov/covid-19-resources-for-artists-and-arts-organizations
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
FAQs – Funding for NEH Applicants and Grantees Impacted by the Coronavirus https://www.neh.gov/COVID19_FAQs
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES
ARTISTS AT RISK CONNECTION
Covid-19 Resources for Artists https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/covid-19-resources-for-artists
THE ACTOR’S FUND COVID-19 RESOURCE LIST
AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS (AGMA) RELIEF FUND
UPDATES AND RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS REGARDING CORONAVIRUS https://www.musicalartists.org/agma-resources-for-members-regarding-coronavirus-2/
The Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
To provide direct financial assistance to musicians who have lost work as a result of corona related event cancellations.
Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
Supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individual artists and arts administrators of color who are financially impacted by COVID-19.
The Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund
Provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis
http://https://jazzfoundation.org/musicians-emergency-fund/
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
Provides urgent funding for visual and performing artists who have sudden, anticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to see other sources of funding; or incur unexpected or un-budgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.
https://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grants/emergency-grants
Music Gateway
With a platform providing online international collaboration, Sync opportunities and Music Promotion, Music Gateway are offering a free account for 6 months. We hope that this will encourage collaboration, connection and creativity by combatting the logistical difficulties https://www.musicgateway.com/around collaborating during the COVID-19 lockdown.
To access your free account, simply email support@musicgateway.com and quote code ‘COLLAB2020’.
Her Hustle
Her Hustle have created an online noticeboard for female founders or freelancers whose work is being impacted by COVID-19. The aim is for these creatives to tell people what help they need.
The International Bluegrass Music Association
If you are or have been a professional in the business of bluegrass and are in a time of emergency need, you may apply here for assistance from the Bluegrass Trust Fund.
https://ibma.org/bluegrass-trust-fund/
Sound Royalties
Sound Royalties has set up a $20 million fund for music creators impacted by coronavirus to receive no-fee advances on their royalties. Applications are being accepted through April 16, 2020.
https://soundroyalties.com/no-cost-funding/
COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL will support individual artists as well as small arts and culture organizations (annual budgets no greater than $250,000) and mid-sized organizations (annual budgets of $250,000 – $15M) whose operations, work, and livelihood have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Application Deadline: December 8, 2020
The Foundation of Contemporary Arts is creating a temporary fund to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions. For as long as their Board of Directors determines it is necessary and prudent to do so, the Foundation will disburse one-time $1,500 grants to artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the pandemic.
The Cultural Coalition is working on behalf of all of the artists and arts organizations in the Lehigh Valley in order to create a Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Relief Fund.
Thank you to the over 150 individual artists and arts organizations that completed the Phase 2 survey. Results are posted below for your convenience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact sean@culturalcoalitionofallentown.org
Thank you for helping us collect this vital data in our efforts to support and sustain the arts community in the Lehigh Valley during these challenging times. If you would like to support the arts in the Lehigh Valley please visit lvartsfund.org.
Covid-19 Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Phase 2 Survey: Artists
Over 110 individual artists who live, work or study in the Lehigh Valley completed the Early Impact Survey.
Covid-19 Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Phase 2 Survey: Arts Organizations
31 arts organizations from throughout the Lehigh Valley completed the Early Impact Survey
as to the impact on their institutions and work force in the sector.
The Cultural Coalition is working on behalf of all of the artists and arts organizations in the Lehigh Valley in order to create a Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Relief Fund.
Thank you to the over 250 individual artists and arts organizations that completed the survey
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact sean@culturalcoalitionofallentown.org at your convenience.
Thank you for helping us collect this vital data in our efforts to support and sustain the arts community in the Lehigh Valley during these challenging times.
Covid-19 Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Early Impact Survey: Artists
Over 215 individual artists who live, work or study in the Lehigh Vally completed the Early Impact Survey.
Covid-19 Lehigh Valley Arts & Culture Early Impact Survey: Arts Organizations
45 arts organizations from throughout the Lehigh Valley completed the Early Impact Survey
as to the impact on their institutions and work force in the sector.
© 2020 Cultural Coalition of Allentown