Creative Community Resources

The Worcester community, like the rest of the world, are just beginning to feel the impacts of COVID-19. Below is a database of resources for arts and cultural organizations and individuals, as well as funders and nonprofits, and additional reading. Are we missing something? Please let us know by emailing Culture@WorcesterMA.gov.

To assess the needs of the creative community locally and nationally, individual artists and organizations are asked to submit information as soon as possible. Latest update January 24, 2022.

2021 Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic from Americans for the Arts
The Impact of COVID-19 on Artists and Creative Workers from Americans for the Arts & Alchemer.com
Mass Cultural Council Seeks Public Input on COVID Relief Programs – submit feedback on how the $60 million in state ARPA spending plan should be used (please respond by February 7, 2022)

The below information is specifically focused on individual artists and performers, as well as arts and cultural organizations. For resources relevant to small businesses, real estate, and more, please visit WorcesterMA.gov/coronavirus. Latest update January 26, 2022.

CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds from Independent Sector – information for small and large nonprofits, as well as individuals!
Emergency Funds – All Art Forms from WomenArts – emergency funds for artists including actors, visual and performing artists, writers, and musicians
Freelance Artist Resources from COVID-19 & Freelance Artists – resources, opportunities, and financial relief options for artists of all disciplines
Get Found on CreativeGround.org – a New England directory of creative enterprises and artists!
Guidance for MCC Grant Recipients from Mass Cultural Council – info for MCC grant recipients (including WAC grants)
Musicians Foundation Emergency Aid Grant Program from Musicians Foundation – emergency grants up to $200. As of April 29, this is temporarily closed due to high volume of submissions. To be reopened at a later date.
Women in Film Fellowship from the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation – $1,200 award and a one year mentorship from a variety of professionals in the filmmaking and arts communities.

Nonprofit & Business Resources

Latest update January 26, 2022.

NEFA COVID-19 Resources from New England Foundation for the Arts – special considerations related to the arts and culture sector.
NFF Tools & Resources from NFF – quickly determine your operating expenses and your surplus/deficit.
Rediness Planning from ArtsReady – create a business continuity plan for your arts organization’s business continuity plan.
Resources for Nonprofits and Funders from Bridgesource – a collection of resources, from responding to the pandemic to potential economic downturn.
Resources and Guidance for Businesses from Mass.gov – navigation for the Commonwealth’s business community.
What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation from BoardSource – many nonprofits and their boards are wrestling with difficult questions and decisions. In these uncertain times, a board needs to provide steady and adaptive leadership in partnership with and in support of the CEO.

Funder Resources

Latest update April 29, 2020.

6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover From Coronavirus Spread from The Chronicle of Philanthropy
COVID-19 – Seven Things Philanthropy Can Do from FSG
Funder? Here are 7 things you can do to support your arts community from Americans for the Arts

Advocacy

Latest update January 26, 2022.

Contact your state legislators and tell your story.
Contact your member of congress to encourage they include the creative community in the legislative relief package.
Worcester Together: the Greater Worcester Community Foundation hosts a public working group to address immediate and long-term community needs.

Additional Reading

2020.04.08: What We Heard at the Legislative Listening Session by Anita Walker, MCC
2020.04.08: Two COVID-19 Relief Programs Approved by Bethann Steiner, MCC
2020.04.08: COVID-19 Relief Effort for Organizations by Michael Ibrahim, MCC
2020.04.07: Artists Not Just For Art’s Sake, But For Community’s Sake by Rodrigo Guerro, Creative Generation
2020.04.04: Local Music and Art Schools Stay Connected with Students via Online Lessons by Richard Duckett, Telegram & Gazette
2020.04.01: Worcester Cultural Coalition announces artist relief grants by Victor Infante, Telegram & Gazette
2020.03.30: Economic Relief for the Creative Community in Federal COVID-19 Relief Bill by Tracie Konopinski, MASSCreative
2020.03.26: Staying Connected in the Face of COVID-19 by Timothea Pham, MCC
2020.03.25: Community Engagement in the Time of COVID-19 by Patricia Walsh, Americans for the Arts
2020.03.24: Early Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on MA Cultural Sector by Bethann Steiner, MCC
2020.03.20: Filling the silence: Worcester artists look to web for help as pandemic claims gigs by Victor Infante, Worcester Magazine
2020.03.20: ‘Stay positive and stay creative.’ How two Boston artists are adjusting to work in the time of coronavirus by Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe
2020.03.20: COVID-19 Preparedness for the Cultural Sector from the Mass Cultural Council
2020.03.18: Baker-Polito Administration Makes New Announcements on Childcare, Small Business Tax Relief and Unemployment Insurance Legislation Related to COVID-19 from Mass.gov
2020.03.16: Baker-Polito Administration Announces $10 Million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund from Mass.gov
2020.03.16: MCC: Update to our Response to COVID-19 from Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director
2020.03.13: What Nonprofits Should Do Right Now by Sandi McKinley, NFF.org
2020.03.12: Arts Organizations Are Heading Into a Crisis. A Few Things Might Mitigate the Disaster. by Justin Davidson, Vulture
2020.03.12: MCC: Letter to the Field on Coronavirus from Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director
2020.03.12: Coronavirus pinching livelihood of Akron artists, backers say by Dan Shingler, Crain’s Cleveland Business
2020.03.12: Performing Arts And Cultural Organizations Close Their Doors Due To Coronavirus by Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR
2020.03.12: Principles for Ethical Cancellation by Laura Zabel, Springboard for the Arts
2020.03.11: Coronavirus Could Decimate Touring Musicians’ Livelihoods by Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone
2020.03.10: As Coronavirus Threat Continues, Experts Tell Nonprofits to Shore Up Reserves by Dan Parks, Chronicle of Philanthropy
2020.03.09: 6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover From Coronovirus Spread by Antony Bugg-Levine, Chronicle of Philanthropy
2020.03.07: Don’t let local arts die because of coronavirus fears — and wash your hands by Tony Bravo, San Francisco Chronicle
2020.03.04: Webinar: Preparing Your Organization for the Corona Virus Disease Outbreak from Event Safety Alliance

Other Resources

City of Worcester Information Line, 508.799.1019 – speak to a live nurse to answer questions and concerns around COVID-19
Assistance & Resources from the City of Worcester
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center from Americans for the Arts
Data: Funding for coronavirus from Candid
MCC COVID-19 Resources from Mass Cultural Council
Resource Hub from Council on Foundations

Creative Community Resources

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