DCLA Coronavirus Resources

NYC Cultural Affairs


COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources

Summer 2024 Culture Programming
COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources
> Reopening Resources
> Arts Education Resources

Summer 2024 Culture Programming

COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources

> Reopening Resources

> Arts Education Resources


Our arts and culture community is the heart and soul of New York CIty. In this time of unprecedented challenges, we stand with the extraordinary organizations and people that drive this essential part of our city. Culture is a powerful source of social wellbeing, education, and transformative experiences. It’s also a major employer and economic driver: New York City’s creative sector employs over 293,000 people, paying $30.4 billion in wages and accounting for $110 billion in economic activity. Keeping New York healthy means keeping this sector healthy.

Below is a list of information and resources related to public health, funding for organizations, funding for artists, preparedness resources, and more. Have questions or suggestions for additional resources? Send an email to pr@culture.nyc.gov.

For the latest public health information regarding the COVID-19 novel coronavirus in NYC, visit nyc.gov/coronavirus.

Funding for Cultural Organizations
Legal and Business Assistance
COVID-19 Resources & Ways to Help
Funding for Artists
Aggregated Resource Lists
Preparedness Guides, Webinars, and More
Giving New Yorkers the Power to #CultureFromHome

Funding for Cultural Organizations

The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund: The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund was created with an initial $75 million investment to aid nonprofit service providers struggling with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus. It will give grants and loans to NYC-based nonprofits that are trying to meet the new and urgent needs that are hitting the city. Priority will be given to nonprofits addressing essential healthcare and food insecurity as well as arts and culture, because New York is the cultural capital of the nation. Donors to the fund aim to have an efficient and expedited review process so that recipient organizations receive funds in a timely fashion.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees, independent contractors, sole proprietors, self-employed, and “gig economy” workers may be eligible for low-interest loans which may not have to be repaid. Learn more about PPP and see a list of groups offering technical assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing reimbursement for emergency protective measures to eligible nonprofits through its Public Assistance Program. This program reimburses eligible costs for emergency protective measures directly related to COVID-19 (e.g. sanitizing eligible spaces, as well as other COVID-19-related emergency measures/staff and supplies). For applications and more information, visit www.dhses.ny.gov/recovery, and under Public Assistance, click on Active Declarations - then check FEMA-4480-DR-NY for Private Non-Profit Eligibility Guidelines and RPA Packet.

The NY State Shared Work Program lets organizations keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce published the Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

The New York Forward Loan Fund is a new economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE. The loan targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all businesses), nonprofits and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income.

NYFLF targets the state’s small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees (90% of all businesses), nonprofits and small landlords that have seen a loss of rental income.

Legal and Business Assistance

Business Mentor NY is a free, easy-to-use mentorship network that allows entrepreneurs and volunteers across different NYS industries – from law firms to financial professionals – to assist businesses with questions related to the impact of COVID-19 and to provide guidance on the SBA loan applications. The service is open to non-profit organizations.

Empire State Development is providing up-to-date guidance for the agency’s partners and other stakeholders impacted by COVID-19.

Lawyers Alliance for New York is a leading provider of business and transactional legal services for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises that are improving the quality of life in New York City neighborhoods. It has created a Coronavirus Information webpage with legal information on operating a nonprofit organization during this challenging time.

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest’s Pro Bono Clearinghouse connects nonprofit organizations with free legal services by drawing on volunteer lawyers from New York’s law firms and corporate law departments. Legal projects referred through the Clearinghouse provide high-quality legal solutions to organizations that strengthen communities and serve underrepresented New Yorkers. NYLPI is also providing legal assistance to organizations on COVID-19 related matters including employment law, contracts, real estate and more. For assistance, contact the Pro Bono Clearinghouse at clearinghouse@nylpi.org or visit https://nylpi.org/our-work/pro-bono-clearinghouse.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: (VLA) is a leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations. Understanding the challenges that are being faced by artists and arts institutions, VLA is working to expedite COVID-related matters to ensure those affected receive crucial legal assistance. Artists and arts organizations seeking legal assistance should fill out a legal inquiry form on VLA's website, indicating that it is a COVID-related request.

COVID-19 Resources & Ways to Help

DonateNYC is seeking in-kind medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 crisis. The City will coordinate a safe method to transport your donation.

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services has created an Operations Guidelines for Facilities Experiencing Decreased Occupancy to help organizations pursue energy saving opportunities.

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services has created an Operations Guidelines for Facilities Experiencing Decreased Occupancy to help organizations pursue energy saving opportunities.

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities: Individuals with disabilities, access, and functional needs can visit MOPD’s COVID-19 webpage for resources to address COVID-19’s impact.

NYC Share Your Space Survey: The NYC Share Your Space Survey is critical to helping the City prepare for emergencies and outreach to all of the City's communities. Organizations citywide are encouraged to participate.

NYCEDC COVID-19 Emergency Supply Sourcing & Manufacturing Survey: the City is seeking businesses with the ability to source and/or make products to support the City’s COVID-19 response work.

The NYC Department of Small Business Services: is offering assistance, guidance, loans, and other support for impacted small businesses.

City Agency Service Updates: Up-to-date information on suspensions and reductions in City services.

Thrive Mental Health Support While Home: While our City stays home to stop the spread of coronavirus, New Yorkers can access a range of mental health services by phone or online. NYC Well has also created a list of digital mental health resources which are free for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: How to Help Others: resources available to support those affected by this emergency.

New York State of Health extended the special enrollment period for uninsured New Yorkers to apply for healthcare coverage through NY State of Health or directly to insurers through May 15, 2020. If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing coverage. Because of loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Subsidized Qualified Health Plans or Child Health Plus.

General COVID-19 updates and information are available at nyc.gov/coronavirus.

Funding for Artists

The Actors Fund offers emergency assistance for performing artists with current financial need. The Fund's Musicians’ Assistance Program administers Local 802’s Musician Relief Fund which includes financial assistance and a variety of social services.

Artist Relief: Creative Capital has joined forces with several national arts grantmakers to form Artist Relief—an initiative that includes immediate, unrestricted emergency funding of $5,000 for individual artists of all disciplines, and resources to help those in need due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Asian American Arts Alliance’s COVID-19 Resources page includes financial resources for artists and arts workers, online programming, and specific resources for APA communities.

Adolf & Esther Gottlieb Foundation has an emergency grant program for painters, printmakers, and sculptors for fire, flood, emergency medical need.

American Society of Journalists and Authors’ Writers Emergency Assistance Fund helps established freelance writers who, because of illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work.

The Artists’ Fellowship provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship.

The Arts and Cultural Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Authors League Fund provides financial assistance for authors, dramatists, journalists, and poets due to health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune.

Bronx Community Relief Effort’s $10 million fund will assist residents, students, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in 8 focus areas and provide immediate relief to Bronxites.

CERF+ Responds to Coronavirus (COVID-19): CERF+, which serves artists who work in craft disciplines by providing a safety net, has created an emergency relief fund and is conducting a survey of studio artists.

The Freelancers Union Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs.

The Foundation for Contemporary Arts FCA COVID-19 Relief Fund was created to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions.

Max's Kansas City Project provides emergency funding and resources to professionals in the creative arts who live in NY State.

Motion Picture and Television Fund offers industry members financial assistance and case management.

MusicCares Foundation offers short-term financial assistance for musicians with industry experience.

The Musicians Foundation has created CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program for professional musicians and their family members.

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is partnering with:

The Rauschenberg Foundation to provide visual and media artists and choreographers with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.

PEN America Writers' Emergency Fund offers funding for professional- published or produced- writers in acute or unexpected financial crisis.

SAG-AFTRA has created the COVID-19 Disaster Fund that is now available to eligible SAG-AFTRA members who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America’s Emergency Medical Fund supports genre writers to pay for medical expenses not otherwise covered by insurance.

Aggregated Resource Lists

NYC Office of Emergency Management has created a COVID-19 resource guide including information on employment, food assistance, medical and health assistance, rent arrears and public assistance, and more.

The Alliance of American Museums provides resources and information for the museum field, including policies on reviewing cleaning and collections care, staff and administrative concerns, and more.

The Alliance of Artist Communities is maintaining a list of resources and recommendations relevant to artist residencies.

Arts Education Partnership (AEP) has published a list of resources AEP partner organizations have shared either directly with AEP or on their websites and social media accounts.

A.R.T./New York is compiling resources for theatre companies, independent producers, freelance artists, and the general public

CUE Art Foundation has an extensive list of artist resources providing financial and community support.

Gibney offers a compiled list of resources for dancers and the artist community.

The International Association of Blacks in Dance’s Novel Coronavirus Resources page

The League of America Orchestra’s coronavirus relief resource page

Queens Council on the Arts’ Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic

New York State Council on the Arts Resources for NYS Arts and Cultural Organizations re: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): A blog post with resources and links provided by the arts and cultural sector.

New York Foundation for the Arts’ Emergency Grants page includes a number of opportunities specifically for COVID related needs.

National Endowment for the Arts COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations: A list of national arts service organizations that are providing frequently updated news and resources for artists and arts organizations.

National Endowment for the Arts has published a guide for cultural organizations with strategies for ensuring that their digital resources and programs are fully accessible to people with disabilities, including those with vision, hearing, and learning disabilities.

NYC & Company

For Businesses: https://business.nycgo.com/coronavirus-information-and-resources/

For Travelers: https://www.nycgo.com/coronavirus-information-and-resources-for-travelers/

NYC Unity Project has released a dynamic, mobile-accessible website with over 100 listings of LGBTQ+ affirming programs and services—including city, private, and non-profit resources—that continue to be available during this stay-at-home period, both locally in-person and virtually.

Poets & Writers’ Resources for Writers in the Time of Coronavirus includes resources for writers, teachers, publishers, booksellers, and librarians.

Creative Capital has a regularly-updated list of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists and arts professionals.

Freelance Artists Resources is maintaining a grassroots aggregated list of COVID-19 specific resources for the field.

Common Field has created an open, crowd-sourced list of resources for arts organizations.

Teaching Artists Guild has a master list of resources and recording of a webinar for teaching artists bracing for the impact of COVID-19 on the United States.

The NYC Artist Coalition and House Coalition started a collaborative document to collect examples of grassroots responses to COVID-19 from around the world.

Volunteers Lawyers for the Arts has a list of resources for support at-risk artists and arts organizations.

Preparedness Guides, Webinars, and More

Americans for the Arts’ webinar Arts and Culture Sector and the Coronavirus: What We Know and How to Move Forward

Association of Art Museum Curators free webinars on topics such as "Team Building in Isolation" and "International Perspectives on Disaster Response."

ArtsReady is an online emergency preparedness service by and for arts/cultural nonprofits, provides arts organizations with customized business continuity plans for post-crisis sustainability.

Bronx Council on the Arts Artist Sustainability Workshop Series online and list of aggregated resources

Brooklyn Arts Council COVID-19 Guide included guidance for stopping the spread of coronavirus, resources for cultural groups and artists, a survey, and more.

Creative Capital hosts an ongoing series of free online workshops for artists coping with COVID-19, in addition to a list of aggregated resources.

DANCE NOW NYC hosts Virtual Office Hours, offering administrative and consulting support to any artist in need, free of charge.

Event Planning Alliance’s webinar Preparing Your Organization for the Corona Virus Disease Outbreak.

Fractured Atlas has published a number of guides for organizations transitioning to a remote workplace.

New York Council of Nonprofits has weekly calls and webinars for nonprofits as well as a local and national resources list.

Nonprofit Finance Fund provides an ongoing series of advice for nonprofits, including a checklist of actions nonprofits should take right now.

Nonprofit New York put together a brand new series of webinar training on a variety of timely topics such as risk management, insurance, management practices during times of crisis.

North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents has created a resource list and FAQ pertaining to coronavirus for performing artists, agents and managers.

The Theater Communications Group produced a pre-recorded webinar on coronavirus preparedness for theaters.

W.A.G.E. published basic Guidelines for the Postponement or Cancellation of Work for individual artists and nonprofit institutions.

Giving New Yorkers the Power to #CultureFromHome

COVID-19 is a major crisis for all of NYC. But it’s important to take time to reflect on the beauty created by our community, and to give all New Yorkers the opportunity to decompress, connect, and maintain the social bonds that make our city vibrant and resilient in all circumstances. While everyone is staying at home to protect the health and safety of all New Yorkers, cultural groups are giving everyone access to everything from live performances to digitized catalogs, online book clubs, support groups, and more, connecting people even while social gathering places are shut down.

The American Alliance of Museums has published a guide with tips for engaging audiences digitally during COVID-19.

NYC and Company has created VirtualNYC, a collection of online resources from museums, galleries, comedy clubs, theaters and other venues so that you can experience the best of New York City virtually. Submit your virtual program.

Follow along and share your own content using #CultureFromHome, #MuseumFromHome, #MuseumMomentofZen, and more, and @NYCulture will help spread the word.

###

Last updated August 17, 2020

This list is informational and inclusion of any resources on it does not necessarily indicate endorsement from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.

Questions, corrections, or have suggestions for additional resources? Email pr@culture.nyc.gov.