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Welcome to the City of Minneapolis office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy newsletter. Here you will find information on program and partner related news and updates, opportunities, events and special announcements.
Sign up for the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy newsletter at http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/coordinator/arts/index.htm
News
Minneapolis Forward: Resources for Recovery and Building
Over the last several months, our community has faced extraordinary challenges. The City of Minneapolis is working hard to help the people of our city to heal and recover, to emerge stronger and more equitable than before.
To find information about legal actions related to George Floyd's death, plans to transform public safety and resources for those affected by the civic unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food and medicine or how to report a business loss, visit minneapolismn.gov/minneapolisforward.
Community Now Coalition Created to Advise City Leaders on Recovery Efforts
Mayor Jacob Frey is convening leaders from Twin Cities foundations, businesses and community organizations to rebuild and repair Minneapolis as a stronger and more equitable and inclusive city as the Community Now Coalition. This coalition will accelerate repair and recovery efforts in Minneapolis. Read more.
Get City updates about rebuilding and recovery:
Changes to Policing in Minneapolis
The State of Minnesota Department of Human Rights has opened an investigation into the policies, procedures and practices of the Minneapolis Police Department over the past 10 years to determine if the MPD has engaged in systematic discriminatory practices toward people of color and ensure that any such practices are stopped. The investigation began with a court order to make several immediate changes to policing in Minneapolis and a framework for systemic change detailed here.
Minnesotans with information that can further the investigation into the MPD, or who witness violations of this court order, should contact the Department of Human Rights at mn.gov/mdhr or 651-539-1100 or call toll free at 1-800-657-3704. Read more.
Additionally, the City Council has committed to starting a year-long process of community engagement, research and structural change to create a new model for safety in Minneapolis. Read more.
State's Stay Safe MN Plan Enters Third Phase
 Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms and entertainment venues, has begun.
Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. All critical businesses are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan by June 29. Find detailed information about reopening, including guidance for businesses in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong at staysafe.mn.gov.
City of Minneapolis guidance for businesses on opening.
Eviction Suspension Order Extended until July 13
The governor's latest extension of the peacetime emergency means that the suspension of evictions and landlord-initiated lease terminations remains in place until July 13.
This suspension will allow households to remain sheltered during the peacetime emergency. The executive order does not relieve a tenant's obligation to pay rent, however. It also does not include eviction actions based on cases where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of residents, or where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of others on the premises.
Even though there is a temporary hold on evictions, rent is still due. Renters in Hennepin County can apply for assistance. If you do not have internet access or cannot complete the form in English call 612-302-3160.
There is no deadline to apply. Priority will be given to households with the lowest incomes and those not eligible for unemployment insurance.
Learn about New Renter Protection Rules
Starting June 1, there will be caps on security deposits and limits on what a rental property owner can use to deny rental applications in Minneapolis. The City is hosting a series of free webinars about the renter protection ordinance, which you can register for here.
- Inclusive screening criteria will set limits on what information in a renter’s criminal, rental and credit history can be used to deny a rental application. Landlords who don’t use the inclusive screening criteria will have to specifically state why an application is denied and provide an opportunity for the applicant to add more context to their history.
- Security deposits will be capped at one month’s rent, or one-half month’s rent if the landlord requires first and last month’s rent to be paid in advance. If they require the first and last month’s rent to be paid along with the security deposit, renters must have the option to pay the security deposit in installments over three months.
The ordinance goes into effect June 1 for owners with more than 15 rental units. The effective date for property owners with 15 rental units or fewer is Dec. 1. Enforcement will be through the City’s housing maintenance code.
This follows previous renter protection efforts adopted recently, including relocation assistance for displaced renters and a requirement that owners of naturally occurring affordable housing rental property give the City 60 days’ notice before selling their units.
Shareable fact sheets:
To learn more, visit minneapolismn.gov/renterprotections.
Sign Up Online to Vote Early by Mail This Election Year
With health officials advising everyone to reduce contact to keep each other safe during the pandemic, the City of Minneapolis is recommending voting early by mail this election year. Voters can sign up now to get ballots for the August primary and November general election mailed to them. Ballots will arrive approximately six weeks before those elections, along with postage-paid envelopes for return. Sign up to vote by mail at vote.minneapolismn.gov. Read more.
Public Hearings Scheduled for July on Revised 2020 Budget
The City Council’s Budget Committee will hold two public hearings in July on proposed revisions to the City’s 2020 budget.
The City faces a significant revenue shortfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and needs to make cuts to the City’s roughly $1.5 billion budget. Mayor Jacob Frey will brief the City Council’s Policy & Government Oversight (POGO) Committee on a revised 2020 budget July 9 and staff will present the revised budget to City Council July 10.
The public can then engage and share their voices in this process during two online public hearings:
- 6:05 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
- 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22
You can watch or participate in the online meetings.
The City Council is scheduled to vote July 24 on a revised 2020 budget. For more information about the City’s budget, visit minneapolismn.gov/budget.
City of Minneapolis Seeking Disaster Declaration for Areas Impacted by Civil Unrest
 The City of Minneapolis, in partnership with Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota, is seeking a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the areas impacted by the recent civil unrest in Minneapolis. A disaster declaration would make low-interest property damage and economic injury loans available through the SBA.
The City needs your help to receive this declaration. We are seeking additional information from businesses owners and property owners who:
- sustained building damage, e.g. fire damage, or business loss, e.g. damaged inventory, and
- do not expect losses to be fully covered by insurance (40% or more uninsured loss)
If this describes your situation, please complete this survey no later than Thursday, July 2 to provide data on your losses. Your response is optional and will not impact in any way your eligibility for relief funds should they become available. You will not be more likely or less likely to receive relief funds. Instead you are providing information that will help our community apply for a disaster declaration and if declared, provide access to these loans to all eligible business and property owners in our community.
For questions or assistance completing the survey, contact the Small Business Team at 612-673-2499 or SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov. Assistance in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong available.
Minnesota Property Tax Refunds
The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers property tax refunds to homeowners and renters who qualify based on their income and property taxes.
Find more information here about qualifying and how to file.
Emergency Resources
State COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program Now Accepting Applications - Creative Businesses Eligible
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has opened the application period for the Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program. Applications will be accepted between Tuesday, June 23 and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.
This program will provide $10,000 grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Priority will be given to businesses closed by executive order, with minimum funding levels for businesses owned by women, veterans, and people of color; businesses with six or fewer employees, and for indoor retail and food markets with an ethnic cultural emphasis.
A randomized, computer-generated lottery process will be used to select eligible businesses that will receive awards. All awards will be administered by qualified local and regionally based nonprofit agencies, and the grant funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, and other similar business expenses.
To be eligible, businesses must have a permanent physical location in Minnesota and be majority owned by a permanent resident of Minnesota. Businesses must be able to demonstrate hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Additional eligibility requirements and application information can be found online at DEED’s Small Business Relief Grants page.
SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19.
We Love Lake Street Recovery Fund
Applications are open for the Lake Street Council’s We Love Lake Street Recovery Fund. This fund will provider grants of up to $25,000 to businesses and non-profits in the Lake Street area who sustained damage in the recent civil unrest.
Additional eligibility information and application here.
Opportunities
Emerging City Champions Fellowship - Applications Due July 12
Across the country, we’ve seen a push for more equitable and inclusive communities — and now, more than ever, that’s needed in our public spaces, in our mobility options, and in the ways we engage locally. To create a city that’s designed for inclusivity and connectedness, we need innovative ideas from our young people.
As such, 8 80 Cities and Knight Foundation are now seeking another class for the Emerging City Champions program: talented young people who are committed to their communities and would benefit from training, support and wider networks to advance their work and their roles as leaders.
The fellowship is currently accepting applications from young civic innovators (ages 19-35) in the 26 communities where Knight invests who have bold ideas to build welcoming and resilient communities. In addition to being a Gen Z or millennial innovator, other application criteria include:
- Projects must take place in or benefit one of the 26 communities where Knight invests.
- Ideas must be carried out within a year and with a $5,000 budget.
- Projects must address public space, mobility or civic engagement.
The application deadline is Sunday, July 12, 2020. To apply to the fellowship, visit emergingcitychampions.org. Follow #knightcities and @knightfdn on Twitter for updates.
Events
Somali Independence Day on July 1
 This year's Somali Independence Day, typically a large celebration at the end of June on Lake Street in South Minneapolis, will move online on July 1, 2020 due to COVID-19. Learn more.
Pride Month
June is also Pride Month. You can visit virtualtcpride.org this year to celebrate online, including a virtual marketplace on June 27 and 28 where you can meet LGBTQ+ small businesses and non-profits.
Artspace Consulting Hosts Navigating Legal Issues Session for Twin Cities Creative Businesses and Nonprofits on July 14
Artspace Consulting invites you to join an hourlong virtual session on Tuesday, July 14 at 1:00 pm on the topic of “Navigating Legal Issues.” Many arts organizations/creative businesses in the Twin Cities need immediate help with lease negotiations, insurance claims, and financial planning for the future. Artspace Consulting has invited Davis Senseman with Davis Law Office to be their guest.
This session is intended to be a forum where attendees can openly ask questions and share information around these issues. The session invitees include the Artspace Immersion Twin Cities Cohort, as well as about 40~ creative businesses and nonprofits who contacted them for pro bono services around COVID issues.
The session will focus on three legal issues around space:
- Lease negotiations
- Insurance claims
- Financial planning
After you RSVP, Artspace Consulting will send you the Zoom link for the meeting. Please RSVP to Connor.Robinson@artspace.org.
Learning Opportunities
Upcoming Webinar: Local Response to COVID-19: How Counties are Investing CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund Dollars
Presented by National Association of Counties. On March 27, Congress passed and the president signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established a new $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for state, county and municipal governments with populations of over 500,000 people to address necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Now that the U.S. Treasury has distributed CRF payments, eligible counties are now tasked with distributing these funds in the best way possible to support our nation’s residents and communities. Join NACo for a webinar to hear from county leaders about their process for developing and implementing their CRF plans to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN: Friday, June 26 at 12:00 pm CT
Register here.
Upcoming Webinar: Engaging Your Audience During and After COVID-19
Join Arts U for a webinar on engaging your audience during and after COVID-19.
This webinar will tackle these questions and more. We will review the tenets of strong audience development we can lean on that haven’t changed; explore approaches and frameworks to help us think about and understand our audiences in ways that can guide our programming and/or communication; and check-in with the most recent data for big-picture clues that can help inform our planning.
WHEN: Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 pm CT
Register here.
Webinar on Demand: COVID-19 Federal Relief Funds for the Arts 101 Series
Join Arts U for this FREE on-demand video series. We will explore the federal relief programs available to artists and arts organizations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Coming up: Virtual Community Office Hours
Community members are welcome to reserve virtual 'Office Hour' time with the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy team.
Join Gulgun Kayim, Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy on Fridays from 9:00 am -10:30 a.m,Teeko Yang, Creative CityMaking Project Manager on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to Noon, and Brenda Kayzar, owner of Urbane DrK Consulting on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm for virtual community office hours.
Reservations are necessary! Upcoming dates and contact information below:
For meetings with Gulgun Kayim: e-mail Gulgun.Kayim@minneapolismn.gov to notify that you will be attending and call: 612-710-2232 on Friday, July 10 at your confirmed time between 9:00am-10:30am.
For meetings with Teeko Yang: e-mail Teeko.Yang@minneapolismn.gov to notify that you will be attending and call: 612-271-4960 on Wednesday, July 1 at your confirmed time between 10:00am-Noon.
For meetings with Brenda Kayzar: e-mail urbanedrk@gmail.com to notify that you will be attending and call: 612-730-7913 on Wednesday, July 1 at your confirmed time between 1:00 and 2:30pm.
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