This week, all eyes have been on Capitol Hill as Congress proposed, debated, revised, and voted on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which would provide two trillion dollars in relief funds to the nation. We were pleased that provisions for arts and culture—a $166 billion industry—were included in the stimulus package, as individuals and organizations in the field already are struggling to keep up during this health crisis. Data collected from our Coronavirus Economic Impact Survey shows that the estimated national impact on the arts is $3.6 billion (as of this writing)—and is growing daily. 

As we all work to adjust to this new reality, we’re pleased to share perspectives and ideas to stay connected and creative while social distancing, plus practical measures to keep your work moving forward (whether directly affected by COVID-19 or not) and our annual “top ten” list of reasons to support the arts—many of which feel more important than ever. Check out our Coronavirus Resource and Response Center for even more content and to share any helpful information you may have.

News Room

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
“Americans for the Arts is thankful that Congress has made an initial investment of more than $300 million in stimulus relief funds to the arts that will be administered by key federal agencies. Funds will be granted to nonprofit and governmental cultural agencies in all 50 states and will be put to work to help save thousands of jobs and cultural organizations in communities across the country. However, given that the arts and culture sector has faced a $3.6 billion economic loss just to date, we had hoped for more relief for the arts community. While this support is of great value, my concern is that it isn’t enough to keep many small and medium sized arts organizations afloat when their audiences can’t reach them.” —Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts

Legislative Update: Arts Support Included in Federal COVID-19 Relief Bill
This vital piece of legislation includes direct support for both nonprofit cultural organizations and state and local arts and humanities agencies, as well as economic relief provisions for independent contractors, "gig economy" workers and artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses working in the creative economy.

ARTSblog

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in 2020 by Randy Cohen
Like so many sequestered at home during COVID-19, I write this while mindful of our challenging times, and yet inspired by how the arts still have found a way to permeate our lives. While I am uncertain what we will look like on the other side of this crisis, I am optimistic that when it is time to stop practicing social distancing, it is the arts that will unify us.

Creation at a Time of Isolation by Ami Scherson
A video that was created to solidify community amid uncertainty became a piece of art itself. What started as a fun collaboration for a group of us became a beautiful digital dance, enjoyed by many others. During this time of social distancing, I challenge you to experiment and utilize what you have and use art to bring your communities together.

Community Engagement in the Time of COVID-19 by Patricia Walsh
Limitations on public gatherings are good for public health, but can provide a challenge for public art administrators to keep projects on schedule. The Public Art Network shares insight, resources, and recommendations to maintain community engagement for public art projects and programs as we all work to promote health and safety in our communities.

ArtsU

Growing Your Marketing Team with Minimal Budget: Maximizing Internship, Volunteer, and Student Work Opportunities
Discover the various jobs you can provide your unpaid or low-paid employees with opportunities that give them applicable skills for the future, while increasing the overall reach and effectiveness of your organization's communications through social media, in-person advertising, and other marketing avenues.

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in 2020
This webinar with Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research, is an extension of his annual blog providing case-making data for arts advocates to convince anyone to support the arts.

Supporting Individual Artists: Artist Mentorships
Explore tools arts professionals can use to become catalysts for creating mentorships with Sharon Louden, artist, educator, mentor, and Artistic Director of the Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution, and Julia Bloom, a Washington, D.C.-based mentee and artist.

Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
Updated daily, the Response Center gathers information, resources, tools, and more that arts organizations can use as they prepare, respond, and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. 

10 Reasons to Support the Arts in 2020
Download the handy one-page version of Randy Cohen’s “Swiss army knife” for arts advocacy.