In the foreground, a woman wears a white gown with a veil, a crown made of snowflakes, and fur lapels. Behind her, a man carries the train of her dress.

Archived Resources for Responding to COVID-19 in New York City

JUMP TO: Advocacy | Education | Financial Assistance & Funding | Online Tools | Preparation & Response | Remote Working | Resources for Artists, Arts Organizations, and Freelancers

A.R.T./New York began compiling resources for theatre companies, independent producers, freelance artists, and the general public in light of the spread of COVID-19 in New York City. While ALL RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, we have catalogued resources from the City and peer institutions, as well as with pertinent news developments that have since closed, expired, or outdated for reference purposes.

If you have a resource you would like to add to the active resource page, please email [email protected].


Last updated: May 7, 2021. 

Advocacy

Advocacy Alerts & Updates


COVID-19 Impact Surveys

The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York conducted a survey to collect the initial financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and associated programmatic changes. As the City and State responded to the COVID-19 virus, A.R.T./New York used this data on the effects on our Membership to advocate for emergency funding. You can view the results of our survey here »


If you were planning to attend the 2020 Theatre Intern Fair and are facing challenges finding internship opportunities due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please fill out this survey. This will help us identify alternative solutions in lieu of the fair.

 

DanceNYC is also conducting an impact survey. Click here to fill it out.

Immigrant Accompaniment Networks & COVID-19
A skill-share for immigrant justice. 

No Neighbors in Need
A quick guide for New Yorkers to: i) contribute to the fight against the Coronavirus and; ii) do our best to ensure that no neighbors remain in need in NYC during this crisis.

New York State Youth Leadership Council Resources
The New York State Youth Leadership Council is compiling this live document of resources in NYC around COVID-19 support efforts. They are prioritizing resources open to undocumented people. 

Resources for Undocumented Communities
This list of nationwide resources for undocumented communities comes in English and Spanish.

Survey for Nightlife Workers, Freelancers, and Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (CLOSED) 
The Office of Nightlife is gathering information on the impacts for workers, performers, contractors, and businesses from COVID-19-related business closures and event cancellations. Please note that this survey is no longer collecting responses. 

TCG and PAA Advocacy Alert: Request for Economic Assistance for Nonprofit Theatres and Artists Impacted by Coronavirus
This advocacy alert urges you to contact your elected officials and share how COVID-19 has impacted your finances as a nonprofit theatre company and/or artist.

TCG and PAA Advocacy Alert: Contact Elected Representatives About COVID-19 Relief Bill
In order to support the sector at this vital time, please contact your Members of Congress immediately to request that they include $4 billion—to be distributed though the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)—to help offset the losses of the nonprofit arts industry, and expand eligibility through additional federal programs to ensure artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the creative economy can utilize business interruption relief.

 

Education

COVID-19 in Charts and Maps
This infographic breaks down the COVID-19 pandemic in facts and figures.

Livestreaming Panel: Artists In a Time of Global Pandemic (ASL & Captioned)
For US-Based freelance artists and cultural workers in all disciplines. March 16 @ 8:00pm EST.

 

Financial Assistance & Funding

ArtBridge COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund
ArtBridge is rewarding grants from $250 to $500 on a weekly basis to NYC-based emerging visual artists via an ongoing fundraiser. 

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program (CLOSED)
Emergency funding for bartenders who are unable to work due to the coronavirus. This program is no longer accepting applications.

The Bret Adams & Paul Reisch Foundation Emergency Grant (CLOSED)
Playwrights, composers, librettists and lyricistss who have had a full professional show cancelled, closed, or indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19 are eligible for a $2,500 emergency grant. This program is no longer accepting applications. 

CARES Act Table of Loan, Grant, and Compensation Opportunities for the Arts
Arts Action Fund compiled a list of federal funding opportunities for nonprofit artists organizations and individual artists. 

CERF+ Emergency Assistance
Artists who have suffered from a recent, career threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire or natural disaster, can apply for funding.

Cerini & Associates: PPP Loan Forgiveness Updates & Application
Meredith Lynsey Schade (HERE) shared this Powerpoint from a May 18th webinar on PPP Loan Forgiveness.

Directors Emergency Relief Fund (CLOSED)
The Drama League has created this temporary fund to meet the needs of stage directors who have suffered lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For as long as The Drama League determines it is necessary, prudent, and able to do so, DERF will provide emergency grants of up to $599 for stage directors who have lost wages from the voiding of directing agreements and/or other opportunities resulting from theatrical productions canceled and/or postponed as a result of the pandemic. This program is no longer accepting applications.

Disabled Creatives & Activists Relief Fund (CLOSED)
The Crip Camp impact campaign in partnership with Color of Change has established an emergency relief fund for disabled creatives and activists. Many have lost all or most of their income, and—as freelancers or independent contractors—they don’t qualify for unemployment benefits. The fund will ensure that activists, storytellers and cultural influencers of the future can continue the vital work that Crip Camp champions. This program is no longer accepting applications.

How to Apply for the Coronavirus Business Loan
Fundera offers this guide on how to apply for the Small Business Association's loan program.

Idea Awards COVID-19 Response Grant Lottery (CLOSED)
You are eligible to enter the lottery for a grant of $2500 from the Bret Adams & Paul Reisch Foundation if you are: 1) A playwright, composer, lyricist, or librettist, or 2) Have had a full professional production (defined for these purposes as a LORT, Off-Broadway, or Broadway full production, not a reading or workshop) of which you are a writer that was cancelled, closed, or indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 closures. This program is no longer accepting applications.

Indie Theater Fund COVID-19 Emergency Grant (CLOSED)
The Indie Theater Fund is offering unrestricted rapid relief grants of up to $500 to indie theater companies and individual artists in need due to the financial strain of closings, etc. related to COVID-19. This program is no longer accepting applications.

NEA CARES Grants (CLOSED)
The National Endowment for the Arts will award funds to nonprofit arts organizations across the country to help entities and their employees endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19. This program is no longer accepting applications.

NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund (CLOSED)
The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund was created to aid nonprofit service providers struggling with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus. It will give grants and loans to NYC-based nonprofits that are trying to meet the new and urgent needs that are hitting the city. Priority will be given to nonprofits addressing essential healthcare and food insecurity as well as arts and culture. This program is no longer accepting applications.

NYC Employee Retention Grant Program (CLOSED)
To help small businesses deal with the impact of COVID-19, the City has launched the Employee Retention Grant Program to help retain employees as businesses face decreased revenue. This program is no longer accepting applications.

NYFA Emergency Grants List
NYFA has compiled a list of emergency grants for artists in all disciplines.

Rauschenberg Emergency Grants (CLOSED)
Expected to roll out in late May or early June, these will provide visual artists, media artists, and choreographers up to $5,000 worth of assistance for medical emergencies. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. This program is no longer accepting applications.

Save Small Business Fund (CLOSED)
The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories. This program is no longer accepting applications.

Wingspace Theater Designer Microgrants (CLOSED)
Wingspace is still collecting donations for a microgrant for NYC-based theater designers. The application for the microgrant will open on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00am. Please note that this program is no longer accepting applications.

 

Online Tools for Arts & Culture Engagement

Fundraising During the Time of Coronavirus (Free Webinar) (NOT AVAILABLE)
CharityHowTo is offering a free webinar which will answer questions like how to assess your organization’s response to the crisis—and how to communicate that to your donors in a compelling way—and how to make up for revenue lost due to cancellations (canceling events, selling tickets etc). Please note this webinar is no longer available to stream.

Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Shutdown (OUTDATED)
NPR Music is compiling a list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some will require registration or a subscription, but most will be free, often with digital tip jars and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise. 

 

Preparation & Response

COVID-19: What Nonprofits Should Do Right Now (OUTDATED)
In response to the coronavirus, the Nonprofit Finance Fund provides guidance for organizations by attempting to answer the questions: “What would be the most useful first step for the widest possible group of nonprofits?” and “What could every nonprofit do in a few hours?”    

Top Takeaways for Employers (OUTDATED)
Recommended practices for employers in response to the coronavirus.

 

Remote Working 

 

Resources for Artists, Arts Organizations, and Freelancers

Advance NYC Pro Bono Office Hours (CLOSED)
Advance NYC has been hosting pro bono office hours sessions open to anyone and everyone. Session topics have included virtual events, emergency grant opportunities and preparation, response fund campaign timing, etc.  

Brooklyn Arts Council Resources for Artists (OUTDATED since April)
The Brooklyn Arts Council created a digital booklet of resources on healthcare, newly available funding, organizing tips, and entertainment resources all with their borough’s artists in mind.

Community Care in the Time of CoronaVirus — US Department of Arts and Culture (CLOSED)
This resource addresses the question, "How do we connect, organize, and deepen community amidst the necessary public health practice of physical distancing?"

Culturebot: An Inventory of Lost and Delayed Art (OUTDATED)
Submit your postponed or cancelled show here.

NEA Guide to Virtual Accessibility (CLOSED)
Since the start of the current COVID-19 crisis, artists and arts and culture organizations have been proactive in reaching out to their audiences and communities through webinars, livestreamed performances, virtual classes, and virtual visual art collections and museum tours. Here are some ways to create an inclusive and accessible experience for your virtual and digital events.

Playwright's Horizons Resources for Artists (CLOSED)
This list includes resources for remote work, emergency funding, and more.

 

Header: Blessed Unrest's Production of The Snow Queen. Photo by Maria Barinova.