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.

Jump to: Impact Surveys Creative Community Resources Nonprofit & Business Resources Funder Resources Advocacy Additional Reading Other Resources

Impact Surveys: 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 April 29, 2020.

5-Minute Survey: The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Arts & Cultural Organizations from Americans for the Arts
The COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers from Americans for the Arts!
Mass Cultural Council – Cultural Organizations: Share How COVID-19 is Impacting Your Business (please respond by April 14, 2020)

Creative Community Resources: 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 April 29, 2020.

Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund from GoFundMe – funding opportunities for BIPOC individual artists/teaching artists
Artist Relief Fund from Americans for the Arts – a national emergency relief fund for artists and creative workers!
CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds from Independent Sector – information for small and large nonprofits, as well as individuals!
Corona Relief Fund Application from Equal Sound – for musicians who have lost income due to a cancelled gig
Emergency Funds – All Art Forms from WomenArts – emergency funds for artists including actors, visual and performing artists, writers, and musicians
Emergency Grants from Dramatists Guild Foundation – emergency financial assistance for individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters
Freelance Artist Resources from COVID-19 & Freelance Artists – resources, opportunities, and financial relief options for artists of all disciplines
Gaming Mitigation from the Mass Cultural Council – capital for the sustainability of nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers! Applications close APRIL 30, 2020
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)
MassHire Resources for unemployment, as well as urgently needed employment opportunities
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.
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Guide to Unemployment Assistant from Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition – a video Q&A on applying for unemployment and other developments under the CARES Act!

Nonprofit & Business Resources: Latest update April 29, 2020.

Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits? from National Council of Nonprofits – a webinar on analysis and information!
MCC Cultural Facilities Fund from the Mass Cultural Council & MassDevelopment – supporting capital projects within the cultural sector. Applications close January 15, 2021.
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
Small Business Disaster Assistance from U.S. Small Business Administration – low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters
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.
Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation – grants for nonprofit organizations!

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 April 29, 2020.

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.

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 Resource Sources:

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

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Creative Community Resources

Worcester Cultural Coalition

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