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.
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. 12, 2:00p ET: Overcoming COVID-19 through Sustainable Collaborations

In recent years, the interest in sustained collaborations has been increasing slowly among nonprofits and grantmakers alike. With the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the economic downturn, organizations considering mergers has increased from 1 percent to 23 percent, according to a recent survey by La Piana Consulting. Candid invites you to join a conversation with leaders from SeaChange Captial Partners, La Piana Consulting, and Child Crisis Arizona as we explore the various forms that collaboration can take.

Nov. 18, 12:00p ET: Reimagining the Future of the Arts

Join Arts Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Arts Board to share ideas, information, and inspiration, in a series of conversations about the (reimagined) future of the arts, culture and creativity throughout our state. The national series: The Wallace Foundation is hosting a five-part national webinar series, "Reimagining the Future of the Arts." The series brings together a diverse set of leading experts in the field to facilitate conversations around some of the most pressing issues facing the arts sector today, grounded in research commissioned or supported by Wallace.

Nov. 19, 12:00p ET: Recruiting During a Pandemic

This interactive hour-long webinar will address the latest innovative strategies related to hiring best-fit job candidates, showcasing brand and culture, interview strategies and recruitment tools during these difficult times. With a panel of 3 reputable leaders in the HR world—who have expertise in recruitment best practices and innovative employer resources—you can get YOUR questions answered first-hand during this virtual discussion.

FIELD NEWS

Orlando Sentinel: CARES Act jobs help entertainment workers, arts groups
The Idle Class: Arts & Science Center to host Virtual Telethon and Art Auction
Nonprofit Quarterly: Nonprofits Find New Ways to Engage Senior Volunteers Virtually
The New York Times: For the Arts in Europe, Lockdown Feels Different This Time
Mountain Xpress: Local arts groups displaced by pandemic seek new spaces

MUSEUMS/GALLERIES

American Alliance of Museums: Tales from Campus: Connecting Community In the Time of COVID
CBS Denver: Arts Organizations Going Virtual to Connect With Audiences
The Washington Post: Even dinosaurs are social distancing, as the Smithsonian takes it slow in reopening museums
Spectrum News 1: COVID-19 Restrictions Preventing California Museums From Reopening

THEATRE & DANCE

The Washington Post: GALA Theatre is a COVID-19 ‘guinea pig’: first District theater to resume live indoor performance
Northcentral PA: Community Theatre League determined to offer a diversion from COVID-19
The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus arts groups find new ways to present signature holiday events amid COVID-19

RELIEF FUNDS

GazetteXtra: Local cultural organizations get state grants to ease COVID-19 losses
WABI5: Local theater programs receive $12,000 relief grants
COVID-19 Arts and Creative Community Assistance Fund. Grant amounts are $55,000 each and five (5) grants will be awarded. Proposed projects should represent bold moves, novel experiments, or big risks undertaken given opportunity or crisis specifically generated by COVID-19. They should aspire to produce long-term benefits for the organization and be the result of discussion, consultation, and buy-in across functional areas of the organization. Deadline: Nov. 19
Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Fund 2021 Individual Support Grant. Deadline: Feb. 6, 2021

GENERAL NEWS

EQUITY/MENTAL HEALTH

Inside Philanthropy: Black Lives Matter, COVID, and Equity: Philanthropy Must Step Up for the Long Struggle
The Butler Collegian: Students’ mental health marred by COVID-19 isolation
Amita Health: ‘COVID Fatigue’ and How to Fight It

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

The Optimist Daily: Need to get away? Here’s a 5-step guide to healthy escapist travel
Good News Network: Feeling Stressed? Use This Gorgeous Polar Bear Live Stream to Find Your Zen
Artnet News: Here are 14 Calming Works From Art History To Help You Relax Despite Everything Giving You Anxiety Right Now

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.

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.