Greetings,

Here’s the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) news…

A reminder that we are circulating this news digest weekly on Tuesday. We are continuing to update the Resource Center on a regular basis. If you see interesting or helpful items or have a resource to share, please email me at jejenkins@artsusa.org.

We invite you to share this news roundup with your networks and colleagues.

AFTA NEWS/UPDATES

• #artcreateshope. Tell us how the arts create hope for you! Share your story on social media of the arts creating hope in your life. Don't forget to tag @americans4arts and include #ArtsCreateHope in your posts. Need a little inspiration? Use our sample language and download images to get your social post started.
• COVID-19’s Impact on The Arts Research Update: November 2, 2020 The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on America’s arts sector. Since the first U.S. case was reported on January 20, 2020 cancellations and closings are taking place at thousands of arts organizations across the country, and two-thirds of the nation’s artists are now unemployed. Americans for the Arts leads the three premier national studies tracking the human and financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the arts.
• To Rebuild and Reimagine the United States Post-Pandemic, We Must Put Creative Workers to Work,” a policy proposal developed with over 100 partners throughout the creative community to Put Creative Workers to Work in the national recovery—activating the creative economy and drawing upon the creative energies of the country’s 5.1 million creative workers to energize Americans, reimagine how communities can thrive, and improve the lives of all. Click here to view the full proposal, and follow the endorsement link at the top to submit your endorsement. You can sign on as either an individual or as an authorized representative for an organization.
• OFFICE HOURS! Extended through the end of this year on Fridays (excluding holidays) from 11:00a to 12:00p EDT. Join Nina Ozlu Tunceli with the Americans for the Arts Action Fund to get answers to your most pressing questions about navigating the CARES Act relief programs. Check the link for any additional dates or occasional blackout dates. 
• CARES Act Table of Federal Arts Funding Opportunities – This helpful table breaks down the CARES Act so you can determine which funding opportunities apply to you, whether you represent a nonprofit organization, a governmental agency, a commercial arts company, a self-employed gig worker, or just a taxpayer. The table is regularly updated and links to helpful FAQs are listed on the last page.
• Book Nina for your next local, state, or national webinar related to CARES Act funding for the arts and/or ArtsVote 2020 legislative and political activities. Free for members.
• Please complete our revised COVID-19 survey for organizations. It still collects the critical up-to-date estimates that we need for our collective advocacy efforts. However, we’ve removed less relevant questions and added short sections on re-opening plans and the impact of the racial equity movement. You can keep up with the survey results by visiting the project dashboard as well as by downloading a handy 1-page summary of all our COVID-19 impact research. Link to Revised Survey: https://surveys.americansforthearts.org/s3/CoronavirusImpactSurvey
• Sample plans for reopening: AFTA is collecting and sharing reopening plans. Some communities are closer than others to restarting businesses and allowing the public back into museums and cultural sites. As we receive examples of plans to reopen (please send them to services@artsusa.org), we will be sharing them on the resource center.

FIELD PROGRAMMING

(We will feature new offerings here – free to low-cost opportunities. Previous listings have been moved down to below the signature)

• Nov. 6, 2:00p ET: Coronavirus Relief Fund Updates: Spending Strategies Under Multiple Deadline Scenarios

COVID-19 relief funding allocated through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) is authorized for spending by states and counties through December 30, 2020. As this deadline approaches, counties must ensure funds are spent appropriately, reporting requirements are met and contingency plans are made. In addition to sharing best practices and lessons learned related to these issues, this webinar will also feature a discussion on how to quickly pivot and reevaluate spending plans in the event of deadline extension, as well as strategies for navigating subrecipient relationships within your county. NACo will be joined by Witt O’Brien’s for this discussion, who is helping many counties across the country track and manage their CRF allocations.

• Nov. 10, 2:00p ET: Designing Virtual Opportunities, Managing Remote Volunteers

Designing meaningful, mission-driven virtual volunteer opportunities, and managing remote volunteers can be challenging. How do you create work that can be done independently, and still supervise, evaluate, or recognize the work of a volunteer you never meet face to face? The good news is that now, with an ever growing set of online tools, building an online community and connecting with someone across miles (or continents) is easier. In this webinar we will discuss best practices for creating those opportunities and developing meaningful relationships with remote volunteers, including building and empowering remote teams, managing projects by letting go but not checking out, and creating a two-way communication plan to share the work of remote volunteers with the organization and share what's happening at the organization with remote volunteers.

• Nov. 19, 2p ET: How They Did It: Virtual Events Donors Love

As social-distancing persists and donors grow tired of spending time online, how can your nonprofit create virtual gatherings that attract supporters — and hit revenue goals? Join us on November 19 at 2 PM ET to learn why — and how — to use small virtual gatherings to build deeper bonds with contributors and bring them closer to your mission. You’ll hear directly from nonprofits that are finding new and creative ways to engage supporters, build community, and boost giving through digital events.

FIELD NEWS

• Dcist: This Artist Installed More than 220,000 White Flags In D.C. to Represent COVID-19 Deaths
• Arts and Mind Lab: Why Arts Education Matters in the Age of COVID-19
• Datebook: Bay Area Arts are back with live performances. Is it too soon?
• Placemakers: Pandemic Toolkit: Manual for rebuilding community health and opportunity post-COVID

MUSEUMS/GALLERIES

• American Alliance of Museums: Emerging from Crisis
• Grey Art Gallery: Museums and Social Media in the Time of COVID-19
• Museum Association of New York: Construction During a Pandemic: How the National Museum of Racing Reimagined its Visitor Experience

THEATRE & DANCE

• American Theatre: Arden Theatre Company Announces 2021 Digital Season
• Podcast: Virtual Choirs and wellbeing
• DC Metro Theater Arts: Updated online performing arts offerings
• American Theatre: Children’s Theatre Company Launches Plays for New Audiences

RELIEF FUNDS

• Bethesda Magazine: Council might put more money into tourism, arts COVID-19 relief grants
• Green Bay Press Gazette: Artists, musicians get a boost from state grants to boost industry hit hard by coronavirus

GENERAL NEWS

• Fast Company: Europe starts locking down again as COVID cases rise: Here’s the latest update
• CNN Travel: How coronavirus will change skiing this season
• Fast Company: What is close contact? Here’s what the CDC says in new COVID-19 study

EQUITY/MENTAL HEALTH

• Washington State University: Rural areas have fewer mental health services for young people, but great need
• Jersey’s Best: Ways to weather the stress storm caused by COVID-19

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

• TIME: Cake Isn’t Just Cake During a Pandemic. Here’s What I Learned Decades Ago About Baking in Anxious Times
• HubSpot: How to Host a Virtual Holiday Party & Bond With Your Team
• Good News Network: Metro Train Driver Saved By a Whale’s Tail After Crashing Through Safety Barrier

Thanks for reading. We hope you find this news digest to be a helpful tool to navigate this very complex situation, and welcome feedback at services@artsusa.org. If you were forwarded this and want to sign up for the Local Arts Network listserv to receive it directly, click here.

____________________

Jerelle Jenkins

Local Arts Services Coordinator

Americans for the Arts

FIELD PROGRAMMING

• Nov. 10, 11:30a ET: Accessibility and Inclusion in the Virtual Space: How Cultural Organizations can Adapt and Connect

Join us on Tuesday, November 10th, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for a virtual presentation and discussion on best practices and techniques to increase access and inclusion for audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities will present tips, technical guidance, and resources for inclusive practices. A moderated panel featuring members of the NYC cultural community will explore opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned regarding the critical goal of inclusion in the digital space that we rely upon more and more during this time. Attendees will have an opportunity to pose questions for the panelists.

• Nov. 10, 3:30p ET: Before You Close: Strategies for Alternative Pathways Forward

The estimated total impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts sector stands at $13.1 billion and growing, with layoffs, furloughs, and canceled performances setting the stage for long-term financial impacts. At the same time, the value of the arts has never been greater as we watch creative organizations respond to very real social challenges, raising community conversations and spirits. This webinar speaks to organizations who are facing financial and operational hardships right now and offers specific solutions to consider, instead of closing their doors completely.