A list of resources and information for artists related to COVID-19.
Mass Cultural Council Resources Mass Cultural Council has posted COVID-19 Resources with ongoing information for Massachusetts artists and organizations.
CARES Act On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act (H.R.748) became law. The bill creates a “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” program that allows self-employed people, freelancers, and contractors to apply for unemployment assistance. Apply now.
The DUA is holding Virtual Town Halls so potential applicants to better understand applying for unemployment assistance. Learn more and sign up for a town hall.
Webinar On Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 3 PM, Mass Cultural Council hosted a webinar to share the best advice available on how to manage our organizations during this crisis.
Livestreaming HowlRound has a useful essay with instructions, best practices, and things to consider when producing a livestreamed event.
Emergency Resources The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (now a program of CERF+) has a created a comprehensive resource for the artist community, many of whom are dealing with canceled shows, exhibitions, and conferences, about COVID-19. Those with the means to do so can also consider donating to the CERF+ COVID-19 Response Fund.
Resource Pages There are comprehensive lists with COVID-19 and emergency resources, information, and links for artists compiled by the New England Foundation for the Arts, Creative Capital, the National Endowment for the Arts, Billboard Magazine, Americans for the Arts, and WBUR.
Freelance Artist Resources Freelance artists can find help and info at the COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource.
Writer Resources Poets & Writers has compiled a useful page called Resources for Writers in the Time of Coronavirus.
News For current news on the COVID-19 outbreak, go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Of Note The New England New Play Alliance (NPA) sends a periodic newsletter promoting new work by New England playwrights. Since many performances are being canceled or postponed due to COVID-19, the NPA newsletter has shifted its focus to highlighting scripts by New England playwrights and providing access to those scripts via New Play Exchange. Sign up for the newsletter.
Fundraising Template Language Fractured Atlas has created a fundraising resource template for artists and performers to use when asking directly for money through fundraising.
Legal Services Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston has Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts who are waiving their service fee for artists with crises related to COVID-19.
We’re all in this together. If there are other resources you know of, please add them in the comments.
Related reading: Find a list of COVID-19 artist funding sources on ArtSake.
Image: from the CERF+ website.
A. Bell Warren says
Hi there,
There is a typo …see if you can find it 🙂
For current Massachusetts virus information, the Mass Department of Pubic Health has extensive resources.
thanks for these resources though!
ArtSake says
Thanks! The Public appreciates your catching that typo!
Aleks says
Hi there, great post! Another great resource can be found here, from Backstage.com: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/coronavirus-covid19-actor-performing-arts-news-resources-70497/
It’s a super helpful resource for actors, entertainers, and performing artists, and includes tips on how to audition remotely and hone your craft. It also links out to industry-specific and national resources! I think it would make a good addition under the “Resource Pages” section.
Barbara Epstein says
I am not seeing on the MCC website any up to date COVID-specific information like what NEFA is promoting on their website: https://www.nefa.org/covid-19.
It would be good if you would at least put a link to those resources somewhere here.