News from the Office of Film + Music |  Vol. 14, No. 13 | May 29, 2020

COVID-19 RESOURCE ROUNDUP: 5/29

The Office of Film + Music continues our work to support the film, music, nightlife, events industries, communities, businesses, and workers during this challenging time. Our weekly industry newsletter is here to help you access local, state, and federal resources.

For industry-specific resources, please visit our Film, Music + Nightlife, and Events COVID-19 pages, or contact our industry liaisons here. 

The City's Office of Economic Development has also prepared a new online resource hub for business, workers, and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Cultural & Creative Workforce Development Internships

Northwest Folklife , the Office of Economic Development and the Office of Arts and Culture have developed a pilot program to provide paid internships for Seattle’s young creatives. These internships aim to develop creative capital, give hands on experience, foster networks and shape the emerging network economy. The Program will serve youth 16-25 from a variety of Seattle communities. These internships range between 12-24 weeks long, and give our youth hands-on training in creative fields. The internship program takes a collaborative and community-informed approach to provide opportunities to sharpen skills and competencies in culturally and creatively focused occupations. Due to the stay at home orders, all duties will be done remotely. Apply

Round Two of the Business Impact Survey - Ends Today!

OED launched it's second round of the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey in order to understand the experiences of businesses, nonprofits, and independent workers who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Your voice will help inform our short and long-term strategies to help the economy. As a thank you for participating in the survey, OED is randomly selecting five participants to win a $50 gift card redeemable through Intentionalist's Gift Card Market Place for each round of the survey. Complete the Business Impact Survey by May 29.   Take the Business Impact Survey

ICYMI: May 2020 Virtual Mixer

This week, we held our monthly Mixer for creatives to network and learn about unemployment assistance resources. Thank you to our partners King County Creative, Washington Filmworks, and WhipSmart for demystifying pandemic unemployment assistance and other COVID-19 related relief programs. If you missed the Mixers, you can find the recordings below! Past Mixers

CITY OF SEATTLE RESOURCES

Are you a small business or nonprofit that has been impacted by COVID-19? The new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit is available to assist you in exploring your options for your commercial lease. If you have fewer than 50 employees, Communities Rise also offers free legal consultation.   Lease Amendment Toolkit

More Than $100 Billion in PPP Funds Remain

Businesses are encouraged to apply for the PPP loan while funding lasts. OED provides FREE technical assistance to businesses to:

• Understand available financial resources, including loans and grants
• Check eligibility for loans and other resources
• Apply for SBA loans and complete the application, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief
• *NEW* Guidance on PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Detailed Instruction

Please call the Seattle Office of Economic Development at 206-684-8090 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email OED at oed@seattle.gov anytime to receive free assistance. You can ask for language assistance and receive interpretation over the phone.

FREE SBA Technical Assistance 

Creating Community: City of Seattle and Local Leaders Launch Seattle Together Initiative

Last week, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced the City of Seattle’s new Seattle Together initiative, which is designed to celebrate ideas, share resources and events, and connect community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seattle Together initiative asks community members to amplify stories of good work and resiliency by residents, elevate resources and share best practices, and build relationships as Seattle residents continue to follow the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order and physical distancing guidance.

Learn More

COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL RESOURCES

Unemployment Insurance for Gig Workers 

Congress passed the CARES Act, expanding unemployment benefits to gig workers. Whipsmart has shared this process for creative industry crew and employees. Read more on Whipsmart and Washington Filmworks' newsletter for more resources. Unemployment Insurance for Gig Workers

King County Creative COVID-19 Handbook

King County Creative has established a COVID-19 Handbook for creatives, to bring together resources to take care of yourself and your family; to support the arts and culture community; and to prepare for recovery.   King County Creative COVID-19 Handbook

FUNDING RESOURCES

ConnectAll - The nonprofit technology access organization InterConnection is offering refurbished laptops starting at $109 for low-income residents. You can register and purchase refurbished laptops.

4Culture King County Cultural Relief Fund - The Cultural Relief Fund will distribute more than $1 million over the coming months. The application is open now. 

ArtsWA CARES Act Relief Grants - Grants of up to $5,000 may be requested for general operating support. Deadline to apply is May 31.

CARES Act Humanities Relief - Grants of between $2,500 to $5,000 will be made to Washington State nonprofit cultural organizations that provide humanities programming. Deadline to apply is May 31.

FILM, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE & EVENTS STORIES

ArtZone Phones It In

SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett discusses the road ahead; John Osebold livens up lunch; renowned brass quartet The Westerlies perform together from afar; actor Bradford Farwell channels Edgar Allan Poe; Nancy and Joe prepare the perfect PB&J; and quarantined cats get squirrelly.    📺 Watch ArtZone

In the News

Washington’s Film Industry Prepares for A Reboot - Crosscut

It's Last Call at Re-Bar - The Stranger

Vulcan to Close Its Arts + Entertainment Division, Which Includes Cinerama and Seattle Art Fair - Seattle Times

Couch-A-Thon Takes Seattle Film Festivals Online - South Seattle Emerald

It's Not How I Thought My Store Would End: Bop Street Records in Ballard - KUOW

Learning In Quarantine: 5 Virtual Music Industry Conferences To Enhance Your Career - Grammy

Amazon Sponsors Virtual Concert for COVID-19 Relief Featuring Pearl Jam, Macklemore and Others - Geek Wire

APA Heritage Month: Kumail Nanjiani, Lulu Wang, Hasan Minhaj, More Get Candid About Success & Failure - Variety