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A Letter from the Worcester Arts Council – July 27, 2020

Hi Everyone –

We want to give you an update on our upcoming 2021 grant cycle.

Typically, the Commonwealth’s operating budget is set by July 1 each year, and the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) releases its spending plan in August. However, the MCC’s planning for Fiscal Year 2021 is delayed due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Legislature’s budget process is delayed this year as policy-makers work to understand the current revenue picture and potential federal aid. The State government is currently operating on a month-to-month basis.

Because of all of this, the Mass Cultural Council is delaying the Local Cultural Council (LCC) grant cycle timeline by one month. This means our local grant applications will now open on Thursday, October 1st. The deadline to submit your application will now be Monday, November 16th. 

This timeline is based on the hope that there will be a state budget in place by mid-November. If there is no budget in place at that time, the MCC may need to further adjust this timeline.

The grant allocation for Worcester will be determined after the FY21 State budget is signed into law, and the governing Council approves the Agency’s FY21 spending plan. We have no way of knowing the amount of our allocation for FY21 at this time.

We hope to have more information in September. In the meantime, we are continuing to prepare!

We’re still gathering community input through our Funding Priorities Survey. We are extending the survey deadline as well, so it will now close September 7th (Labor Day). The answers directly impact how we allocate these grant funds in Worcester, so it’s super important. It only takes about 3 minutes to complete, and you could win Bose headphones just for taking it! If you haven’t yet, you can take the survey HERE.

The Worcester Arts Council will vote on and announce our FY21 funding priorities in September.

We also have one open seat on the Council! We would love to welcome a new member in time for our grant cycle. If you’re interested or know someone who would make a great addition, find out more or apply HERE.

Finally, thank you for all your support and patience as we work together during this extraordinary year to ensure that the Worcester Arts Council can continue to help enrich our local neighborhoods with arts and culture.

If you have any questions, please get in touch any time.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

The Worcester Arts Council

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COVID-19 has changed our way of live indefinitely. The cultural sector has been deeply impacted, and arts organizations are feeling the financial stress like never before. Read on for details on local, state-wide, and national effects to culture, and for ways to take action to ensure creative workers and institutions aren’t left behind as budgets are reevaluated and funds distributed.

The Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) hosted a survey for Worcester cultural organizations. Respondents ranged from small volunteer efforts to large institutions, including the performing arts, museums, the sciences, visual arts, public radio, festivals, game development, and more. As of May 18, the 34 respondents reported revenue loss of $6.29 million, with a total expected loss exceeding $12.6 million. Thus far, 21% of organizations with paid employees have laid off or furloughed staff, over a third have reduced salaries and hours, and at least 70% have applied for financial aid through the PPP or SBA’s EIDL. View the data in a slideshow here. This survey was only open for 4 days to make the data available during a recent Town Hall with Congressman Jim McGovern hosted by the WCC and the MCC.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has completed two surveys of both arts organizations and individual creative workers in Massachusetts. In its first survey released March 24, 566 cultural organizations reported over $55 million in losses. Less than a month later on April 15, nearly 700 organizations reported losses exceeding $260 million, and over 15,000 jobs had been impacted by layoffs, furloughs, and reductions to work hours or pay.  More information, and links to these surveys, can be viewed at MassCulturalCouncil.org.

Americans for the Arts (AFTA) updates their national findings weekly. As of June 1, 2020, over 12,000 nonprofit arts and cultural respondents have reported financial losses estimated at $5.9 billion, with 67% expecting a “severe” impact on their organization, and 39% saying they are “likely” to have to reduce staff. Of course, these losses extend beyond the cultural sector itself – it’s estimated that $7.3 billion has been lost in event-related spending at local businesses such as restaurants, retail, and lodging. Of the 19,000+ individual artists who responded, 94% are losing income and 62% are fully unemployed, and 66% are unable to access supplies, resources, spaces, and people necessary for their work. Despite these foreboding numbers, the AFTA survey also found a tremendous resilience: 67% of organizations and 75% of artists are creating content to raise community spirit, improve morale, and create community cohesion.

In reviewing data gathered before COVID-19, the 2017 Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study found that just in Worcester, arts and culture is a $125.7 million industry. This industry doesn’t just enhance quality of life, but its economic benefits reach far beyond the walls of its venues.

The data make it clear – for the arts to survive, action is needed. Many organizations are offering suggestions on how to advocate for the arts and cultural sector, including Americans for the Arts and MASSCreative, which lists ideas including contacting your elected officials, signing petitions, writing a letter to an editor, creating and sharing a self portrait, and ways to advocating for funding at the national, state, and local levels.

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The City of Worcester Cultural Development Division, in partnership with the Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, is accepting proposals from artists and designers for the Give Me A Sign project.

“The ‘Give Me A Sign’ project highlights the relationship between creative expression and mental health, which is especially relevant during COVID-19,” said Deputy Cultural Development Officer Che Anderson. “Artistic and creative outlets contribute positively to our community’s well-being and have proven valuable in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.”

To provide the community with moments of inspiration, education, and optimism, the Give Me A Sign project will provide visual encouragement throughout Worcester on 12” x 18” metal signs. The Request For Qualifications on the City of Worcester website lists various inspiration for messaging including “call your grandparents,” “you can and you will,” and “tomalo con calma.”

Artists are invited to submit their qualifications until May 26 and will be notified of their selection by June 2. Once notified, finalists will have until June 9 to submit digital designs for consideration. Up to 19 designers will be selected by a committee, which will coordinate sign fabrication and place signs throughout Worcester. Honorariums in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to the creators of the designs chosen.

“With the adoption of the Cultural Plan in 2019, the City aims to share Worcester’s story through embedding art into our everyday lives,” said Erin Williams, Cultural Officer for the City of Worcester. “Worcester is committed and excited to offer 19 paid creative opportunities to artists, especially in these uncertain times.”

The Requests for Qualifications are open to all artists, artist teams, and design professionals with experience in public art design. Professionals residing in or with studio space in the city of Worcester are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit qualifications is May 26, 2020, with installation planned for June 16, 2020. The signs are expected to be on display through at least June 2021.

Artists and designers may submit their credentials using this Google Form.

For more information, including full project details, please click here.

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Hi artist advocates — Hope everyone’s doing all right through these weird times.

I’m writing to make sure folks in our artist-network are thinking about whether they would be a candidate for federal small business relief through the SBA “PPP” program that re-opens for a 2nd round on Monday morning (and which likely won’t be open for longer than a few days or maybe a week or two, so quick action is critical). If you’re wondering whether this might apply to you, here are some things to consider:

1. Did you earn a “net profit” on a Schedule C (Profit or Loss from a Business, Line 31) on your 2019 federal tax return. If you had a decent net profit in 2019, then you may be a good candidate for a helpful amount of PPP small business relief. (Note that you do NOT have to pay yourself or anyone on a formal “payroll” to qualify for this payroll protection program. Having “net profit” on your Schedule C is equivalent to having an actual payroll for yourself, and the SBA has made clear that’s sufficient to qualify.)
2. If you haven’t already done your 2019 taxes (since they’re not due until July 15), do you think or know that you earned some business profit in 2019 (more than a few thousand dollars of profit), and would you be able to make at least a draft of your 2019 Schedule C (based on your real 1099 forms from 2019 and any other gross income figures, along with your best estimates about the expenses that will show up on your 2019 Schedule C)? The SBA will accept a draft version of your Schedule C.

If you have a 2019 Schedule C with a solid amount of net profit, it’s pretty straightforward to submit an application for PPP small business relief, so read on.

The amount of your PPP “loan” will be automatically calculated to be just over 20% of your 2019 total net profit, and the amount that will be forgiven (that you don’t have to pay back) will be roughly 8/52 (8 weeks worth) of your 2019 total net profit. So about 75% (or possibly a bit more) of the PPP loan amount will be forgiven for self-employed people with no other employees. You don’t have to prove how you’re spending that portion of the money. It’s just intended to be relief for the “owner compensation” that you would “normally” have been able to earn from your business activities without this crisis.

Another thing to remember is that if you’re qualifying for unemployment compensation during the pandemic, this PPP relief will likely reduce your unemployment. It’s not totally clear how these two forms of relief will affect each other, but it seems likely that they will. A lot of self-employed people are trying for both because who knows what will come through, and that’s totally fine to do. If your profit was fairly low in 2019 and if it has largely dried up during the crisis, then unemployment benefits will probably work out better for you. But for people who don’t qualify for unemployment because of their current earnings, or for people who made more than about $40,000 of net profit on their Schedule C in 2019, or for any small nonprofit that has a payroll, the PPP could be a great help.

This may sound like a lot of paperwork and hassle, and it’s true that you DO have to be willing to wade through some numbers and file various forms to be able to qualify, but so far it seems easier than I expected (easy enough for many people to do it without an accountant), and it could be a significant amount of money if you had business profit in 2019. And I’m available to help you think it through if you’re confused about whether you’re likely to qualify and how to submit an application. (You don’t apply directly to the government — you generally go through a bank or online lender, but I could give you some suggestions for that. Several banks in Massachusetts are trying hard to prioritize very small businesses owned by women and people of color in this new round of funding.)

The Worcester Cultural Coalition has agreed to forward any questions and inquiries you have on this subject to me. Please reach out to Culture@WorcesterMA.gov and include your phone number so I can follow up with you directly.

Be well, and stay safe,

Blair

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The Worcester Cultural Coalition has shared this letter with permission, including minor modifications to the original message with the intent of emphasizing the most important and relevant information for the public. Featured image used with permission from https://massmoca.org/event/studios/ 

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WORCESTER, MA – Two weeks after the announcement of the Worcester Creative Relief Fund, 70 local individuals in the creative sector have been selected to receive $500 grants. The Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation established these grant funds to help supplement income the creative community has lost due to COVID-19.

“Many workers in the creative sector have been without work for a month or longer,” said Erin Williams, Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition. “Worcester understands the importance and power of arts and culture. It is essential to these workers, and to the sustainability of our local cultural economy, to distribute these funds as quickly as possible.”

A selection committee reviewed over a hundred applications in a matter of days. “There were many heartfelt stories of the challenges people in Worcester are facing, and we know the applications we received just scratch the surface of the real needs that exist locally and beyond,” said Barbara Fields, President & CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Worcester Creative Relief Fund grants in the amount of $500 have been awarded to artists who live or work in Worcester and have had their creative practices and incomes adversely impacted by COVID-19. The Fund was designed to support Worcester artists of all types who have been financially impacted by event/gig cancellations, the inability to exhibit their work/book shows, and/or have lost revenue from their day jobs being eliminated due to COVID-19. Grant recipients have been notified by email and payments will go out as soon as possible.

The Worcester Cultural Coalition has also established a repository of resources for the Creative Community at https://worcesterculture.org/creative-community-resources/. This page is updated regularly to include grant and low-interest loan opportunities, resources for individuals and nonprofits, impact surveys to gauge the needs of the cultural sector, and additional coverage of the state of the arts in the wake of COVID-19.

“In Worcester and across the world, workers in the arts and cultural sector already function on thin margins and have reported increasing pressure,” said Williams. Local, national, and international authorities have established strict guidelines in order to “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of the coronavirus through banning large gatherings. These guidelines have resulted in the temporary closure of institutions and venues, and cancelled performances, shows, events, and classes. “These closures are having an unimaginable impact,” said Williams. Further, many artists supplement their incomes with part time jobs, often in the service industry, which has also been hit hard by these guidelines.

“An active embrace of art and culture has been a key driver of the ‘Worcester renaissance.’ Maintaining that momentum means supporting these individuals and institutions so they’ll thrive again once we can all enjoy them safely,” Fields explained.

“It has been inspiring to see our community transcend adversity, innovating how we can connect through an active embrace of creative arts and culture. Through these expressions, we’re engaging despite physical distance, which is a testament to the power of culture!” noted Williams.

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Announcing a new source of one-time funding for individuals working in the creative sector whose income has been negatively impacted by public safety measures surrounding COVID-19.

WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester Cultural Coalition, in partnership with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, is addressing the acute and long-term needs of arts and culture workers and nonprofits, through a modest grant program.

The Worcester Creative Relief Fund will award grants in the amount of $500 to artists who live or work in Worcester and have had their creative practices and incomes adversely impacted by COVID-19. The Fund is designed to support Worcester artists of all types (visual, performing, design, etc.) who have been financially impacted by event/gig cancellations, the inability to exhibit their work/book shows, and/or have lost revenue from their day jobs being eliminated due to COVID-19.

Apply Now

“In Worcester and across the world, workers in the arts and cultural sector already functioning on thin margins have reported increasing pressure,” said Erin Williams, Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition. Local, national, and international authorities have established strict guidelines in order to “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of the virus through banning large gatherings. These guidelines have resulted in the temporary closure of institutions and venues, and cancelled performances, shows, events, and classes. Further, many artists supplement their incomes with part time jobs, often in the service industry, which has also been hit hard by these guidelines.

“Arts and culture have long been an important component of life in Worcester and beyond. We’re proud to support our area’s vibrant culture in good times, and we have a responsibility to not just our creative sector, but to the community at large, to ensure the creative sector can survive these uncertain times,” Williams noted. “It has been inspiring to see our community transcend adversity, innovating how we can connect through an active embrace of creative arts and culture. Through these expressions, we’re engaging despite physical distance, which is a testament to the power of culture!”

The Worcester Creative Relief Fund has been established to meet immediate needs for individual artists as defined below.  Applications will be accepted online until April 8 at 5pm. The Worcester Cultural Coalition will convene a panel to review applications and make recommendations. These efforts are in line with long-term plans to protect and support the creative sector in Worcester.

Eligibility
The Worcester Creative Relief Fund is focused on current loss of income, providing relief for artists who live or work in Worcester, with a limit of one grant awarded per applicant and priority given to lower-income artists. Worcester Arts Council 2020 grant recipients are not eligible for this award.

The Worcester Creative Relief Fund is open for, but not limited to, the following uses:

• Recouping financial losses due to cancelled events, including but not limited to:
  • Performances in all performing arts discipline
  • Readings, panels, or speaking opportunities
  • Classes, workshops, or demonstrations
• Reimbursement for creative work expenses which have already been paid, including but not limited to:
  • Cancelled conferences or convenings which cannot be refunded
  • Artist Residencies
  • Touring
• Offset loss of income for teaching artists who experienced loss of income due to cancelled classes and/or school closures
• Support for artists working full or part-time in the service industry who have lost supplemental income used to support their creative practices.

Application Cycle
Applications will be accepted from Wednesday, April 1 through Wednesday, April 8 at 5:00 p.m. The application may remain open, or reopen at a later time, if need remains and funds have not been exhausted.

Grant Award Criteria
Grants are one-time payments of $500. For an application to be considered, applicants must provide the following:

• A 100-word summary of personal financial hardships due to COVID-19,
• Evidence of lost opportunity/income due to COVID-19. This may be a cancelled contract or letter of validation from a local nonprofit/civic leader, venue host, employer or gig organizer. In leu of a formal contract, this may be in the form of an email from an authorized agent of the 3rd party,
• A completed W9, and
• Proof of residence, for example a recent utility bill, paycheck, or bank statement.

Complete applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2020 and can be submitted through Google Drive.

For questions or concerns, the public may contact the City of Worcester Cultural Development Office: culture@worcesterma.gov or 508-799-1400 x 31414.

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Hello Cultural Community,

Worcester City leadership held a press conference on March 12 to outline its response to the COVID-19 virus. The priority is to ensure safety for all residents. All City-sponsored events hosting 50 people or more are cancelled, the Senior Center is closed temporarily, and Worcester Public Schools are closed Friday for deep cleaning. As of now, they reopen Monday, March 16.

We thank the public venues who are following protocols regarding public hygiene in response to the COVID-19 virus, and for sharing this information with the public. This furthers our goals of prevention and public safety.

Regarding events anticipating over 50 attendees, City Manager Ed Augustus requests that institutions, venues, and organizations urge the elderly and immune-compromised not to attend as a matter of public health and safety. In addition, we are sensitive to the community’s needs at this time, and ask that each institution be flexible and accommodating around reimbursement practices and policies.

The Worcester Cultural Coalition is actively involved in local and statewide discussions around the impact to the cultural community, possible mitigation responses and measures, and processes to support the cultural community – from the large organizations to the individual artists. The WCC will continue to be proactive in advocating for health and safety while supporting the financial and operational sustainability of our creative community.

For more information on the COVID-19 virus and proper protocols, visit the City of Worcester website. You are also welcome to review the Executive Order from City Manager Augustus, and watch the March 12 COVID-19 Media Briefing.

My best,

Erin I. Williams

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