COVID-19 Updates for the Cultural Community
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May 7, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATES FOR THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY
Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy https://nola.gov/cultural-economy/
The Mayor's Office of Cultural Economy is kicking off "Embrace the Culture," its virtual series to showcase and support local expressions of art via visual arts, literary arts, film, music, crafts, fashion, and the culinary world and from a collaborative diverse group of artists. "We want to uplift Creatives to increase opportunities, stimulate the economy, and preserve traditions through a virtual experience. Our culture bearers serve as a beacon light of hope and we value the importance of bringing artistic expressions directly to you safe at home," said Lisa Alexis, Director of the Office of Cultural Economy. Visit us on Facebook for more!
To our Cultural Businesses, Workers, Artists, Creatives, Film Industry, and Practitioners:
During this time of crisis, we want to provide you with the most up-to-date resources for the cultural community and the wider community as well. We will be sending out these emails to link you to COVID-19 updates, grant and relief resources, and the latest news in the cultural world as things change during this time. We hope you use these resources to preserve your businesses, gigs, and traditions, and want to let you know that we are here to support you any way we can. Please be mindful during this time of your surroundings and equipment when loading and unloading in public, and do what you can to secure your items.
It is especially important to us to reach out to and connect to our traditional culture bearers in this time. Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, Brass Bands, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, Baby Dolls, Skull and Bones, and more are integral to upholding our vitality as a community. We encourage you to reach out to us, to ask for help in utilizing any of the resources in this newsletter, and to let us know what you need. As a city, we need to come together for you are uniquely ours, who give us so much, and are responsible for so much of New Orleans' legacy, and make sure you come through this stronger than before.
For the most current information each day on changes, declarations from the Mayor and Governor, and what precautions you should be taking, as well as overall relief efforts such as food assistance and mental health resources, check this website. It will be updated daily. To receive COVID-19 updates on your cellular: Text COVIDNOLA to 888777. For those in the hospitality, tourism and cultural industries, find more information at New Orleans & Company www.neworleans.com.
Mayor Cantrell supports and confirms continued travel to/from work regarding maintenance for closed businesses and deems it as essential. If questioned for reason of travel, note you are headed to/from work when it is work related.
NOPD is out in force, (uniformed) to address reports of aggressive panhandling at businesses.
Current May 7, 2020 News:
The Contemporary Arts Center is excited to announce Inter[SECTOR], online conversations bringing together artists, activists, and policy-makers to discuss critical issues facing society today. Decarceration and the Arts (Part I) with Jo Kreiter and Alanah Odoms TOMORROW: Friday, May 8 at 5 pm CST on Facebook Live. Join us tomorrow for a pre-recorded conversation on Facebook Live featuring artist Jo Kreiter and Alanah Odoms, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana, as they discuss recent efforts to support the rights of incarcerated people during COVID-19 and beyond. Click here for more information.
The Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations is hosting an informative webinar. Devin Lemoine, Owner of Success Labs, will provide tips and advice on how to navigate layoffs in these times. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
It's Hurricane Preparedness Week & it's now more important than ever to have a hurricane evacuation plan & emergency supplies. See prep tips at ready.nola.gov/hurricane. Text COVIDNOLA to 888777 for ongoing COVID19 updates from City of New Orleans.
gener8tor is hosting emergency, one-week virtual programs for artists, musicians, and creatives affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs will feature daily webinars designed to identify, understand and help artists, musicians, and creatives secure resources to withstand the current crisis. One-on-one consultations will also be available for participants to ask specific questions about various federal, state, local and private programs (loans/grants/deferrals/law changes). Artists, musicians, and creatives wishing to enroll in the program should sign up using the form here.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation is offering assistance to hospitality workers and their families: https://www.gnof.org/service-and-hospitality-employee-family-program/
MACCNO is launching a mini-grant for cultural workers. MACCNO remains committed to ensuring all members of our cultural community have access to relief during the COVID-19 crisis, but we know many musicians, traditional culture bearers, and other cultural practitioners are struggling to access the resources they need. To meet that challenge, drawing from the lessons learned by Sweet Home New Orleans, we have launched our own “low barrier” $250 mini-grants, which are available to members of the cultural community who work/practice in and around New Orleans. Click here for more information.
The Paycheck Protection Program is taking applications. PPP is a private loan from a business lender or a CDFI, which is fully backed by the SBA. It is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. A portion of these loans will be forgivable if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Funding through the PPP is available on a first come, first served basis. Small businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by reaching out to their existing lender or to a nonprofit CDFI. Reach out to your lender or an approved SBA 7(a) lender to apply. Click here for more information.
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is launching the Louisiana Culture Care Fund on May 4th. This grant program will provide emergency relief funding to Louisiana's non-profit humanities organizations impacted by COVID-19. Awards will range between $3,000 and $20,000. For more information, and to see if your organization is eligible, click here.
Goldman Sachs has committed $50 million as part of its 10,000 Small Businesses initiative in a partnership with Hope Enterprise Corporation, a leading community development financial institution (“CDFI”). Applications are currently being accepted and can be found by visiting the Hope Enterprise Corporation website here.
United Way Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund. The United Way of Southeast Louisana, Entergy, and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation have launched the Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund to provide crisis grants to hospitality workers affected by #COVID19. Applications will resume Friday, April 24, 2020 at 9:00am. Apply here.
Free Meals from Port Orleans Brewing United. Pick up free curbside meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays noon-4PM from 4124 Tchoupitoulas St. This relief effort, sponsored by Port Orleans Brewing Company and partners, welcomes hospitality workers, first responders, musicians and artists and is open to anyone. The brewery's nonprofit POB United aims to provide 500 meals per day of service until our social distancing restrictions are lifted.
Culture Aid NOLA Free Food Distribution. Culture Aid NOLA, in partnership with the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans, New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation, 504HealthNet, and Trinity Mobile Loaves and Fishes, will be running a free meal distribution on Saturdays from 9:00am-12:00pm at Holy Angels (3500 St Claude). No tax forms, paperwork or ID needed, open to all.
The New Orleans Business Alliance launched a Gig Economy Fund. The criteria and required documents have changed. Currently, they are not accepting new applications and dealing with a backlog. More information can be found here: https://www.nolaba.org/relief-fund
The New Orleans Film Society is streaming a new film every Thursday with each film available for two weeks. More information here.
KID smART has launched its Art Apart series on YouTube. These videos include creative activities you can do at home. Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/KIDsmARTnola/playlists.
COVID-19 Business For All Grants. These $10,000 emergency grants are being distributed immediately to small business owners affected by the pandemic. Apply here: https://businessforall.helloalice.com/signup.
WWOZ OnlineWire Virtual Gig Calendar can help you find virtual gigs to stream and provides a link to tip performers, as well as allow performers to sign up for the calendar and tip app. For more information, click here.
New Orleans Brass Band Musicians Relief Fund. This fund provides monetary support for brass band musicians to fill the gap left by cancelled gigs in the wake of COVID-19. For more information, and to apply, click here.
Equal Sound has launched a Corona Relief Fund for musicians who have lost income due to cancelled gigs. For more information, and to apply, click here.
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts is giving emergency grants to contemporary artists affected by COVID-19. You must be a contemporary or experimental artist, and performers are not eligible. For full requirements and more information, click here.
The Actors Fund. This fund provides monetary support for performance arts and entertainment arts nationwide. For more information, and to apply, click here.
COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers. Americans for the Arts has developed a survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on the finances and creative production of the cultural sector. The survey will help determine funding for Artist Relief, see below. Take the survey here.
Artist Relief distributing $5000 Grants. This fund distributes $5000 grants to artists facing dire emergencies due to COVID-19. For more information, and to apply for funding, click here.
The Artist Relief Project is an initiative offering relief to artists, musicians, and performers impacted by COVID-19. For more information and to apply, click here.
Audio Assemble has put together a list of online resources and remote opportunities for US-based musicians during the COVID-19 outbreak, including short-term and long-term job opportunities.
The Blues Foundation has created the COVID-19 Blues Musician Emergency Relief Fund to assist blues musicians. For more information and to apply, click here.
Backline connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness providers. During this time, they have established a virtual support group that meets regularly through the Zoom app.
Platforms Fund is offering $2,000 individual emergency relief grants to local creators. This initial support seeded the Creative Response Relief Fund, which in addition to Antenna and Ashé Cultural Arts Center, now includes the efforts of Junebug Productions and the Weavers Fellowship, pooling resources to distribute a total of $190,000 in support within the greater New Orleans region. Apply to Creative Response Relief Fund
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources includes links to sources of grants, advocacy and legal information, and more. Make sure to check out their extensive list of city-by-city emergency fund opportunities. https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/
WHEN/WHERE:Tuesday, May 5 and 12
- 9 AM to 12 PM
- Connect Church of Algiers
- 1110 Kabel Drive, New Orleans, LA 70131 (enter on Hyman Place behind the church)
Thursday, May 7 and 14
- 9 AM to 12 PM
- Holy Angels
- 3500 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
Friday, May 1 and 15
- 9 AM to 12 PM
- All Saints Catholic Church
- 1441 Teche Street, New Orleans, LA 70114 (enter at Brooklyn Ave. and Ptolemy St.)
Saturday, May 2, 9 and 16
- 9 AM to 12 PM
- Holy Angels
- 3500 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117
Louisiana Economic Development’s resource page is a great source of opportunities in the entertainment industry. They have also included an entertainment specific page that you can look at and refer interested individuals to directly. https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/covid19
The NOJO Musicians Relief Fund is asking for donations. All funds will go to musicians. Donate here.
Culture Aid Nola (CAN) is a new organization that provides meals to New Orleans workers in the cultural and hospitality industries affected by the coronavirus-induced economic downturn. CAN is a partnership between the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans, New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation, No Hunger NOLA, 504HealthNet, Trinity Mobile Loaves and Fishes and other organizations. It aims to prioritize feeding workers who may not be eligible for other aid programs, like bartenders, dishwashers, tour guides, street performers, artists and musicians. Those who would like to receive a meal kit from the program can fill out a form on CAN’s website.
New Hotline for Louisiana Businesses - Louisiana Economic Development has launched a new hotline for Louisiana businesses. Companies can call 225-342-4321 between 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. with their questions related to the impact of the coronavirus.
Looking for Work? - In the wake of economic changes that have taken place as a result of the coronavirus, some companies are in need of workers. GNO, Inc. has compiled a running list on WorkNOLA.com of companies looking to fill immediate labor needs.
Utilities to Suspend Shutoffs, Late Fees: The S&WB, Entergy New Orleans and our major telecom providers have agreed to suspend shutoffs and late fees for at least 60 days during the coronavirus pandemic. Customers are still responsible for paying their bills, however if they are unable to do so during the crisis, the utilities will not shut off service or add late fees.
Internet Options for K-12 Students, Other Vulnerable Residents: Residents who do not currently have access to the internet at home may be eligible for new low-cost programs from AT&T and Cox.
Grants are available through United Way for our hospitality workers. $500 one time grant for hospitality workers Online application starts Saturday March 21.
Louisiana Businesses Now Eligible for Disaster Loans Through Small Business Association. You can apply for the assistance here.
Waitr is offering contract employment to restaurant workers impacted by closures. Go to their website (waitrapp.com) and select "Become a Driver".
The Louisiana Travel Association has gathered COVID-19 resources here. Includes a way to share your updates if you're in the travel industry.
Nola Tip Party allows you to virtually tip those bartenders that you know and love, in a city where bars are a part of our culture.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission is responding to the disaster with unemployment insurance. Both employers who have had to let go of employees and employees who have lost work need to register to check eligibility. Workers who have not been laid off can still apply. More info is here: https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/resources/
Alcohol and Tobacco Control will expedite the issuance of Delivery Permits
For restaurants, StayLocal and New Orleans & Company are working to use their platforms to allow businesses to share information about to-go and curbside options at their restaurants.
A Facebook group curated by The Times Picayune-New Orleans Advocate is encouraging businesses to post here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereNOLAeats/.
The City will be encouraging businesses to use the hashtag #nolaopen to share to-go and curbside options.
Film, Artist, and Creatives Resources:
Creative Capital has compiled a list of links for relief funds, grants and other funding sources for various types of creatives. The full list is available here.
Arts Council of New Orleans has complied a list of links for relief resources: http://www.artsneworleans.org/opportunity/creatives-relief-resources/
Louisiana Workforce Commission - www.louisianaworks.net/hire
Bartender's Association - www.usbgfoundation.org
United Way - www.louisianahospitality.org
Small Business Association - www.sba.gov
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund for Music Community
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