Updated news and information for the arts industry related to the coronavirus. Find federal, regional, and state resources, economic impact assessments, emergency relief efforts, and guidelines for re-opening. We’ll keep compiling the news as we get it and updating this page.
Cultural Alliance Local Survey
Live or work in Greater Danbury? Help us understand the impact of COVID-19 for the Arts Sector in Western Connecticut. It only takes 3 minutes!
Americans for the Arts National Survey
Collecting data about the impact of the spread in the Art sector across the country. Help make sure Western Connecticut is counted!
CARES Act
The Arts Action Fund updated information on the CARES Act Funds. Great for nonprofit arts org, a governmental arts agency, a commercial arts company, a self-employed individual artist.
covid-19 ALERTS
Since mid-March, 2020 we’re sending COVID-19 related information to the arts sector as we get it. Not receiving the alerts? Get on list! In the meantime, check out what you’ve missed down below in date order and in the following categories.
Paycheck Protection Program totals in Connecticut as of July 25, 2020
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Town Hall
SBA’s New England Regional Administrator Wendell Davis will join Gold House for an in-depth discussion on the Paycheck Protection Program and Loan Forgiveness.
Reopen Connecticut: Updated Industry Rules Now Available
While we have paused on the Phase 3 reopening of the state to protect the health of all of our residents, we have made some updates to our industry-specific rules after consulting with industry leaders and public health officials.
Shoreline Arts Alliance supports museums as they reopen
Shoreline Arts Alliance staff and representatives from the Yale School of Public Health are traveling to venues throughout the state with a film crew to address the needs and changes that must made in each case to create safe environments for workers, performers and audience members or visitors.
PPP Loan Application Deadline Officially Extended to August 8!
The deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loan through a bank or online financial institution was officially extended from June 30 to August 8, 2020. Last week, Congress unanimously voted to extend the deadline and President Trump finally signed it into law over the weekend. Please note that this is only a deadline extension and not the opportunity to apply for a second PPP.
REOPENING CT ARTS VENUES: SCIENCE-BASED SAFETY Preparedness, Consumer Confidence, Clarity for Constituents Site Visit Findings Outdoor Venues, Audience/Visitor Safety & Museums
Public Health researchers and leaders, Drs. Sten Vermund and Krystal Pollitt, will offer arts organizations, venues, staff and boards science-based guidance and share the findings from site visits to and with arts leaders from the CT College Arboretum, Flock Theater, Florence Griswold Museum, Hill-stead Museum, Mark Twain House, Real Art Ways and New London’s waterfront stages and outdoor venues. This state-wide convening offers clarity, practical scientific advice, and an opportunity for you to ask questions related to risk-reduction strategies for Outdoor Venues, Audience/Visitor Safety & Museums.
$415,000 Awarded to CT Cultural Orgs – CARES Act Relief Grants
– Connecticut Humanities (CTH) recently awarded a total of $415,000 in operating support grants to fifty-six (56) organizations from across the state through its CARES Act Humanities Relief Grants. The CT Humanities CARES Act Humanities Relief Grant program is made possible with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to preserve jobs and help support organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ask Congress to Extend Pandemic Unemployment and the Paycheck Protection Program
The Coronavirus has had a devastating $8.4 billion economic impact loss on America’s arts sector with a 67% unemployment rate among artists and gig workers. Since the first U.S. case was reported in January, 96% of arts and culture organizations have cancelled events—some as far out as 2021—resulting in a loss of 325 million ticketed admissions and billions of dollars more lost in event-related spending by audiences at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail), impacting 533,000 jobs.
Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut launches new online gallery
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is presenting an online gallery in support of artists and art enthusiasts. CA Gallery, launches a new online gallery of original artwork in response to the pandemic but here to stay. The first exhibit features work from participants of the 2020 Accessible Art Project that would have been presented at venues throughout Danbury. Due to the pandemic, many “live” exhibits have been suspended.
Despite Phase Two Of Reopening, Connecticut Arts Organizations Still Struggling
Three months of COVID-related measures continue to take their toll on arts and culture organizations in the state. The prolonged closure of Connecticut’s performing arts venues and museums has cost those organizations nearly $29 million, according to the national arts advocacy organization Americans for the Arts.
CARES ACT EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS
The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) awarded one-hundred and twenty- two (122) CARES Act Emergency Relief grants totaling $350,000. Grants range from $1,500 to $3,000.
The Clock is Ticking… Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program Today!
Once a business owner submits their information on the Lender Match platform, within two days they receive emails from lenders that they have been matched to them and who will accept their PPP application. A PPP application can be started directly from these emails.
