Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research for Americans for the Arts, is sharing weekly insights in the form of a one-pager on the AFTA blog regarding Covid-19’s devastating impact on the arts. Cohen writes, “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, so does its devastation of the nation’s arts sector. Since the first U.S. case was reported in January 2020, cancellations have taken place at virtually every arts organization across the country, artists are among the most severely affected segment of the nation’s workforce, and 1 in 10 nonprofit arts organizations doubt their ability to survive the pandemic. It has been unquestionably brutal for the arts.” Read Cohen’s blog post that provides an overview of his research of the effects of Covid on the industry here.

Follow Cohen’s weekly updates on the impacts here.

Women in the Workplace Report 2020| McKinsey & Co. | Lean In

According to McKinsey, “The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted corporate America in ways we’ve never seen before. No one is experiencing business as usual, but women—especially mothers, senior-level women and Black women—have faced distinct challenges. One in four women are considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce due to Covid-19.”

Read the 2020 Women in the Workplace report here to learn more about the framework for taking corrective action.

Innovations in addressing violence against women in the context of COVID-19

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marked every year on 25 November, is a global advocacy effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women. Women worldwide continue to face unacceptable levels of violence.

WHO estimates that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increasing risks of violence, particularly domestic violence against women.

On 26 November, join WHO, representatives from select countries and partners for a virtual panel discussion on “Innovations in addressing violence against women in the context of COVID-19”. Hear how countries and partners are implementing innovative ways to continue to provide services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for the virtual event here and access more resources at the end of the article here.

The Pandemic Is a Disaster for Artists

This piece from August 2020, put together by researchers and economists (James V. Marrone, Susan A. Resetar, Daniel Schwam), looked at employment levels for artists and non-artists. The research reveals that artists are being hit with a “double whammy” of unemployment. The authors state, “Unemployment is particularly high for performing artists, of whom 27.4 percent report being unemployed, roughly twice the fraction of non-performing artists (14.5 percent) and higher even than those working in retail (18 percent). By contrast, at 11.4 percent, the unemployment rate for architects, librarians, and archivists is about the same as for the rest of the economy.”

The discussion also addresses the CARES Act, which has several new provisions regarding eligibility, of which artists should be aware. One big takeaway: “The grants provided by foundations and arts funders are small and intended to provide short-term aid, not to float people through a year-long crisis. By the time the pandemic is over, millions of artists may have run out of unemployment benefits, lost their insurance, and possibly even given up on their arts careers altogether. Early signs are already pointing to this being in the case.”

Read the full piece here.

Has your income fallen or been cut off? A guide to help you during the coronavirus crisis.
If your income has fallen or been cut off completely, we’re here to help. This guide will connect you to the basic information you’ll need to get through this, including on government benefits, free services and financial strategies.

Read in The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/33vnSBV

The National Endowment for the Arts has compiled a list of useful resources for artists and arts organizations dealing with the pandemic. View their resource list here.

• view the NEA’s CARES Act Guidelines here

Dance/NYC has listed a full page of Preparedness Resources (and regularly updates it). You can also take their Coronavirus Impact Survey here.

Art Advocacy Digest’s Art Matters Newsletter shares frequent updates on the state of the Paycheck Protection Program and other Small Business Administration grants during the crisis. Subscribe to the newsletter here. See an example of Art Matters from April 21 here.

To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. Learn more about the Artist Relief grants here.

Track your stimulus payments on the IRS’ “Get My Payment” system.

Dance Business Weekly has been sharing articles for business owners in the industry, who are some of the hardest-hit individuals in the dance world. DDP will continue to post short summaries of these articles and links to the full versions in Dance Business Weekly throughout this crisis.

1. The Stimulus Bills Passed: How Can They Help Your Dance Business?

   In the last two weeks, even as Congress passed various relief and stimulus bills, you may still be wondering exactly what help they bring. DBW has put together the following summary of these bills and their outcomes, which include cash for businesses, unemployment payments for gig workers and a new payroll protection loan that converts to a grant (and is also open to independent contractors and self-employed people).

2. SCORE to Hold Live Webinar to Answer Your Pressing Business Questions

   DBW summarizes the SCORE webinar, “Coronavirus and Your Small Business: Live Q&A with SCORE Mentors,” which will take place on April 9, from 1 to 2:30 pm (EDT). SCORE is a small-business mentoring organization affiliated with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The organization’s webinar, which will be hosted by three presenters with diverse business backgrounds, will address “urgent questions you might have about how your business can weather the current crisis.” If you wish to tune in and submit your own business-related questions, you must register for the webinar here.

Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC provides key insight into the federal government’s guidance for those taking leave or forced to take it during the COVID crisis:

What Are the Key Takeaways from the IRS’s New Guidance and the DOL’s Proposed Rules?

Employers: Employees my receive COVID-19 Childcare Leave If Sumer Camp Plans Fall Through

The MamAttorney, Daphne Delvaux, created one central location for you to find the resources you need to answer your questions about employment rights, financial benefits and community support during this unpredictable time. The library includes resources from the federal level which will be relevant to everyone.

COVID-19 Resource Library

According to Philanthropy Women, Plan International Canada has called on governments and all responders to consider the unique needs of children, especially girls, during this crisis. The organization’s co-CEO explained that such consideration should include “strengthening the leadership and meaningful participation of girls and young women. Oftentimes, emergency and health responses focus on the needs of adults and children, ignoring the unique needs of adolescent girls who fall between a child and adult woman.” Read more here.

The Scope of the Art Industry (source: ART MATTERS via HMS Media)

Most recent estimates put us at 4.2% of the GDP, which is in excess of $800 billion, which is bigger than the manufacturing, transportation or warehouse sectors. Dollars spent on the arts have a significant multiplier effect on other businesses, like hotels, restaurants and parking garages, and for every consumer dollar spent on an arts, another nine get spent on those related businesses. That, plus the $9 billion we generate in federal taxes and the profound impact we have on health care, education, technology and other areas, makes us indispensable.

COVID’s EFFECTS

The CARES act, sweeping as it was, allocated approximately $300 million to the arts and humanities sectors (NEA, NEH, Library and Museum Services and other deserving institutions). And that’s great.

But as of Wednesday, the cultural sector has already suffered $4.5 billion in economic losses.

RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS

1. The Paycheck Protection Program: This is aimed to cover payroll. You can apply for 2.5x monthly payroll cost, and you’ll need to supply your bank with proof that you have these costs. Learn more here.
2. Economic Injury Disaster Loans: This is designed to give you a grant/loan within three days of application. The grant will provide $1K per employee for up to 10 employees, (i.e., max of $10K) which may be used for providing paid sick leave, maintaining payroll, meeting increased materials costs, rent, mortgage, repaying obligations due to revenue losses. Learn more here

Morgan Stanley Research put together a primer on the CARES Act in April 2020. Download their insightful analysis and review below.

Articles Related to COVID-19

NPR: WOMEN ARE LOSING MORE JOBS IN CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWNS

THE GENDERED IMPACT OF COVID 19 AND REMOTE WORK ON WOMEN AND ORGANIZATIONS

IN A PANDEMIC, GENDER EQUALITY MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER 

WITH NO CHILD CARE OR SUMMER CAMPS, WOMEN ARE BEING EDGED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE 

SHERYL SANDBERG ON THE “DOUBLE-DOUBLE SHIFT” WOMEN ARE WORKING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS

EGAL RESOURCES

SUPPORTING DUAL CAREER COUPLES IN THE AGE OF COVID-19

Co-hosted with 100 Women in Finance, this webinar revisited the 7 evidence-based plays to support dual career couples developed by the Center for Equity, Gender and Leadership at Berkeley Haas (pre-COVID), explored challenges for each of these plays today, and discussed what actions business can take.

TRANSFORMING BUSINESS BEYOND COVID-19: AN EQUITY FLUENT LEADERSHIP PLAYBOOK

According to EGAL, now more than ever, the country is in need of Equity Fluent Leadership™. So, the Center is seizing the opportunity to address staggering inequalities in the United States and assist in the process to rebuild in innovative and systems-changing ways towards an equitable future. EGAL is tracking multiple sources of data, and is developing a strategy playbook for business leaders to successfully integrate equity and inclusion in COVID-19 recovery and lead in an equity fluent way. Read Parts I-IV of the Equity Fluent Leadership Playbook here.

Funds/Grants for Women

SISTER OUTSIDER RELIEF GRANT

This is a one-time grant for Black single mother artists, writers, and cultural workers. Email thefreeblackwomenslibrary@gmail.com for an application. Application closes June 21, 2020.

WOMENARTS EMERGENCY FUNDS

Though WomenArts does not provide a fund itself, the organization’s list includes options for artists of all disciplines. See the options here.