Supporting the Arts during COVID-19
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council recognizes that our arts community is feeling the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our community is strong, and we’re here to support you. View a list of resources for artists. This list is being actively updated.
Update on GPAC Events and Programs
The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council continues to monitor the spread of the coronavirus and its impacts to our arts community. While Allegheny County has reopened, the Arts Council office has chosen to remain closed. As such, our meetings, programs, and workshops continue to be hosted virtually when possible. Please visit our events page to view upcoming webinars. We look forward to see our community in person again soon!
Resources from GPAC Webinars on COVID-19:
- A PDF of presentation slides from GPAC's Ask the HR Advisors webinar: This webinar explained how you can take advantage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in your organizations. You can also learn more about the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, tax credits for employers and independent contractors, and unemployment enhancements.
- Compass's matrix detailing the paid-leave requirements under FFCRA: To help you navigate the leave components under FFCRA, this matrix from Compass covers the paid-leave requirements. The IRS will be issuing information about the tax credit process.
- Slide deck from the GPAC webinar, "Artists in the Time of Coronavirus": Resources for the self-employed, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors.
- Slide deck from the GPAC webinar, "Ask the HR Advisors: How Do We Get Back to Work?": Resources and strategies for organizations to implement as we all tackle the question, "how do we get back to work safely?"
- New Flexibility for Paycheck Protection Program (updated June 12, 2020): This PDF resource reviews updates to the federal Paycheck Protection Program that impacts small businesses and nonprofits.
- Slide deck from the GPAC webinar, "Managing the Financial Fallout of COVID-19": Guidance from a panel of volunteer lawyers for the arts on bankruptcy, mergers, unemployment and other finanicial options.
Funding Resources for Artists & Nonprofits
Below are funds and resources set up specifically to relieve artists and nonprofits in financial crises as a result of COVID-19. We cannot vouch for the methods by which funds/services are distributed, and welcome any feedback by emailing kwishon@pittsburghartscouncil.org.
National Funding and Resources
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
- Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
- The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
- Rauschenberg Emergency Grants
- Musicians Foundation Emergency Fund
- CERF+’s Get Ready Grants
- PEN America Writers Emergency Fund
- American Poets Fund
- The Haven Foundation's Entertainment Assistance Program
- Joan Mitchell Foundation Emergency Grants
- Actor’s Fund Entertainment Assistance Program
- Comprehensive List of Funding Opportunities from 3Arts
- MusiCares COVID-19 RELIEF FUND FAQ: To help address the concerns of the industry during this time, MusiCares has expanded its services to include lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or performances due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.
- Sweet Relief COVID-19 Fund: Sweet Relief is here to provide immediate assistance and has created a DONOR-DIRECTED FUND with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.
- Artist Relief Tree: This donation-based fundraiser is for any artist to request funds. We plan to fulfill every request with a flat US$250 on a first-come-first-serve basis. The fund is currently closed due to an overwhelming response. Check back on their Facebook Fundraiser for updates.
- Musicians Foundation Emergency Fund: All professional musicians, regardless of their genre or instrument, can apply for themselves or a family member if they meet the qualifications. Applications may also (but not additionally) be submitted by a friend or family member on behalf of a musician in need.
- Artist and Activist Relief Fund: This fund, created by The Soze Foundation And TaskForce, will support artists and activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19.
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities
- National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)
- New Music Solidarity Fund: This fund is to help freelance performers with urgent financial needs following cancellations of their work in this initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Anonymous Was a Woman Emergency Relief Grant: This program will distribute $250,000 in grants, up to $2,500 apiece, to women-identifying visual artists over the age of 40 who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
- Artist Relief: Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Practicing artists living in all fifty states, territories, and Tribal Nations, working in any discipline, are able to apply for the $5,000 grant.
- U.S. Smal Business Administration funding programs: The SBA is offering several temporary programs through the CARES Act, including a paycheck protection program, EIDL loan advance, and express bridge loans.
- The Lewis Prize for Music: The 2021 Lewis Prize awards cycle will be shifted to earlier in the year.
- Maurice Sendak Emergency Relief Fund: The Maurice Sendak Foundation has seeded a program that will provide one-time grants of up to $2,500 to children's picture book artists and writers. The program is open to children’s picture book artists and writers over the age of 21 in the United States and territories.
- The Red Backpack Fund by Spanx: This fund is giving 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis. Applications reopen on May 4.
Local Resources
- Emergency Fund for Artists: The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has temporarily expanded the application guidelines of its emergency fund to cover loss of income due to coronavirus-related cancellations and closings.
- New Sun Rising Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund: The Crisis Mitigation Relief Fund will provide $1,000-$5,000 to small business and nonprofit leaders who demonstrate critical economic needs as a result of unemployment or underemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Blick Pittsburgh: Curbside pickup available for art supplies.
- Discounted business and legal services for the arts
- Performing Arts Readiness Loss Calculator
- National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response
- United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania 2-1-1 Program: Not everyone has the ability to work from home, or stock up on groceries. If you (or someone you know) needs help meeting basic needs, please reach out to 2-1-1 or visit pa211sw.org to chat with a resource navigator or search for local resources.
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019
- PGH COVID-19 Economic Emergency Fund
- Economic resources list by state
- COVID-19 Employment Opportunities in Pennsylvania
- Kiva Pittsburgh: Empowering entrepreneurs with 0% interest loans from a local & global community.
- COVID-19 Resources for Creative Businesses: Provided by Bridgeway Capital.