COVID-19: Action Items and Resources for Music Industry Professionals
Photo credit: Daniel Martinez
Love and light to our community!
We hope you are doing well through this difficult and uncertain time. We truly believe this is also a time for regeneration and creation—a time to spend time with ourselves, find new ways to connect and support each other!
Below are some resources we’ve collected through our awesome community. We hope they bring you ideas, motivation, and help as needed. And we want to continue to be that resource.
Sometime in the near future, we’ll be sharing updates on what’s happening with the DC Music Summit. All growth-oriented and exciting things!
Until then, please be safe and mindful, and as much as you can, please continue to spread serenity through your beautiful music—the world needs it!
Peace, Love, and Music,
Your DCMS Fam
Here is the Resource List as of June 2022. Additional resources can be submitted going forward in the comments below!
Recovery For Individuals - Get a $1200 stimulus check
Mayor Bowser Announces $1,200 Local Stimulus Payment to Support Nearly 20,000 Washingtonians https://www.coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-individuals
D.C., Maryland AND Virginia have applications available for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — a source of unemployment relief for gig workers like musicians who might not be eligible for standard unemployment insurance.
D.C.: https://dcdoes.force.com/PUAForm/s/
Virginia: https://www.vec.virginia.gov/html/pua.html
Maryland: http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/uibenefits.shtml
How Creative Professionals Impacted by COVID-19 Can Access Government Relief:
https://www.dpeaflcio.org/blog/government-support-for-creative-professionals-impacted-by-covid-19
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: What it Means for Music Creators | News | BMI.com:
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: What it Means for Music Creators | News | BMI.com
CapitalBop's Resource for The D.C. Jazz Scene During the Coronavirus Shutdown: https://www.capitalbop.com/covid-19
Actors Fund. The emergency financial assistance program helps eligible applicants in need. It is not income replacement, but limited funds for basic living necessities. The Actors Fund is also administering COVID19 Assistance programs for performing arts and entertainment unions including SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Actors Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists and Musicians Local 802. Additionally, The Fund is administering the Jujamcyn Theatre Assistance Program.
Artist Relief. Grants up to $5,000. US-based artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply. Fund will operate through September.
Artist Relief Project. Grants up to $200. Eligible applicants are required to demonstrate that they are artists via a resume and website, where applicable, and share the Artist Relief Project fundraiser with their own networks and provide a screenshot. Ongoing fund. No deadline, but should follow Funds Distribution schedule.
Arts Administrators of Color Network Relief fund. Grants of $200. Fund is to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists AND administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) Funds will be provided as long as funding is available. No deadline.
India Center Foundation. $1,000 grants, up to $2,000. Focused on assisting United States based arts workers of South Asian descent (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) in performing arts, film, visual arts, and/or literature. Deadline: Not stated
MusiCares. Grants up to $1,000. Eligible applicants are individual artists who at least 3 years of employment in the music industry and/or 6 commercially released recordings (singles), or 6 commercially or promotionally released music videos. Grant funds will be distributed as long as funding allows.
PEN America. Grants of $500 to $1,000 based on applications that demonstrate an inability to meet an acute financial need, especially one resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. They expect to be able to review and respond to applications within 14 days. To be eligible, applicants must be based in the United States, be a professional writer, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping them to address an emergency situation. The fund is limited, and not every application can be supported.
Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund. Grants of $100 to $500. Supports queer writers of color who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Priority is given to queer trans women of color and queer disabled writers of color. Application ongoing.
MSAC COVID-19 State of Emergency Statement & Resources:
https://www.msac.org/sites/default/files/files/Emergency%20Grant%20Guidelines%20Independent%20Artists%20(2).pdf
FM Communications-Providing Mental Health Resources For Musicians:
http://fmcommunications.webstarts.com/
Creative Capital Artist Relief Fund:
https://www.artistrelief.org/?mc_cid=5f8243b702&mc_eid=5bac051a77
Maynor Biggers Artist Fund (MBAF):
https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/
Request Financial Assistance from the Corona Relief Fund:
https://equalsound.org/project/request-financial-assistance-from-the-corona-relief-fund/
Alveocreative Resources for Artists and Creatives in the Wake of COVID-19:
https://alveocreative.co/blog/covid-19-resources
The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act:
https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/9/7/97ac840c-28b7-4e49-b872-d30a995d8dae/F2CF1DD78E6D6C8C8C3BF58C6D1DDB2B.small-business-owner-s-guide-to-the-cares-act-final-.pdf
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: What it Means for Creators | News | BMI.com" :
https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/coronavirus-aid-relief-act-what-it-means-for-music-creators
One DC Petition- Cancel the RENT and Mortgage Payments now! :
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/cancel-rent/
Contact Congress today and urge lawmakers to include the artistic community in any relief package:
https://www.grammy.com/advocacy/act?fbclid=IwAR2NnXxJxkagfGSvuGqHjfGvPxfLDF91k8Py-txGda0gNvq0wg-roD-PRwM#/45
Take a quick survey by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), “Coronavirus Impact Survey on the Performing Arts Industry” :
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19APAP
Apply for a Small Business Administration Disaster Loan:
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela?fbclid=IwAR1mSZ8xrT6ugjDuchGxUFMi8kyJm9ZoemS69AbhOULEeF2rlRUx6gb8MUg
Live-stream a concert and get paid! A local arts non-profit called DC Dogs is hosting a daily streaming show and paying acts $200:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSK6bahvMxFdsYydCTJKidwb9MYNB02SZ0UMNvoRMIGgl3Nw/viewform
Add your livestream to this list of local Livestream events:
https://www.curious-caravan.com/blog/rock-out-at-a-live-concert-right-in-your-living-room-list-of-streaming-shows-by-dc-musicians
Review this aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines:
ttps://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/
Learn how to conduct successful live stream concerts with DC-based full-time musician, Eli Lev:
https://www.facebook.com/EliLevDC/videos/10114606984842149/
Jam with your friends online:
https://jammr.net/
Read the article: A State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals Who Need Help During Coronavirus Crisis (Updating):
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9337908/coronavirus-resource-guide-music-professionals-help?fbclid=IwAR26phD1J4JgVJ7me0LjhEvWn7DwPPA1YwMFkBhlTVk8uPvq5tcMylONWRE
Participate in a Virtual Open Mic Nights hosted by Crescendo Communication!:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-open-mic-nights-tickets-100586288296?fbclid=IwAR0OG_aIfp4nJTCTsq0uXvwV5wG06aCTCCzXrZwHEAyncw0g50DfbN-Ma6g
If you’re a member of ASCAP, here’s a wellness program they have launched to help bolster the mental health of musicians:
https://www.ascap.com/music-creators/wellness
Soze Foundation Artist + Activist Relief Fund (waitlist) - Supports artists + activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19.
https://www.wearesoze.com/relief-fund
How to apply for financial aid during the coronavirus pandemic if you're self-employed or a small business in the arts:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/feature/are-you-a-freelance-worker-or-a-small-company-in-the-arts-here-s-a-global-list-of-financial-aid-available-to-you-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
Mutual Aid Project to Support Independent Artists in Response to COVID-19 - Combating COVID-19 via a cross community and collective effort for Black and non-white trans and gender expansive people:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7vOTp4W0_w8jyAUOmhBpnzH3fIutNMg79tk6hxcb-6gLGIQ/viewform
DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants:
https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-business
Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund:
https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-gran
Have a resource to submit? Leave a comment below!
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