COVID-19/Coronavirus NPN Statement and Resources
March 12, 2020 • 4 minute read
Dear NPN community,
We believe that community-centered action is essential to just societies. While we do not yet fully understand the many ways COVID-19 is affecting our world, we challenge ourselves to imagine a path forward rooted in communalism and collective wellbeing—locally, nationally, and globally.
As an organization dedicated to supporting touring artists, we recognize that these artists are particularly impacted by financial and healthcare vulnerability. We are committed to ensuring that NPN artists continue to be paid for their work, even as scheduled engagements are canceled.
Policy for Canceled or Postponed NPN-Supported Projects
NPN recognizes that COVID-19 is negatively impacting the field, specifically NPN’s Partners and artists who are losing paid opportunities. In the event that an NPN-funded project is canceled due to COVID-19, NPN will allow Partners to keep the NPN subsidy for the canceled engagement if the subsidy will support the artist’s lost wages. Additionally, NPN will fund NPN projects that need to be postponed to a later date. If you have any questions about this, please contact .
Our responsibility to center community care and social justice also means recognizing broader implications for our communities inherent in this public health crisis. These include those of Asian descent being targeted for discrimination and the ways in which people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and elder adults are disproportionately impacted when medical resources are more limited.
We are grateful to our peers whose expertise in emergency management are a guide for us in these uncertain times. Below we share links to resources others have created. We will continue to gather and update these resources on this page.
For Freelance Artists
Artist Relief emergency grants and COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources (previously a crowdsourced Google doc shared here)
Coronavirus Resources for Artists of Color from Fractured Atlas
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts is disbursing $1,000 grants to experimental artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the COVID-19 virus for as long as its board of directors deems necessary.
3Arts in Chicago is compiling a list of emergency funding for artists
“Emergency Funds—All Art Forms,” from WomenArts
New Music Solidarity Fund for freelance musicians
Entertainment Assistance Program and COVID-19 Resource List from the Actors Fund
Panel: Artists In a Time of Global Pandemic (ASL & Captioned), For US-Based Freelance Artists and Cultural Workers in all Disciplines
Artist Relief Tree crowdsourced relief fund for artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19
CERF+ Craft Emergency Relief Fund for established artists working in a craft discipline
“Freelancers & Community Resources 2020” Google doc
“Relief + Resources from Arts Organizations,” information from CERF+ on emergency financial relief, emergency residencies, and other emergency resources for artists
Creative Sonoma list of emergency funds and resources, for both West Coast and national artists
“Corona Virus: Resources: Arts, Culture and Cultural Mobility,” from On the Move
For Teaching Artists
Teaching Artists Guild, “COVID-19 Resources for Teaching Artists“
“Teaching Theatre Online: A Shift in Pedagogy Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak,” originally created by Dr. Daphnie Sicre
For Arts Organizations
Information from emergency preparedness service ArtsReady
COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Nonprofits from Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) includes free insights, tools and how-to videos, resources, and webinars for managing during uncertain times.
NCAPER.org provides resources and recommended funding principles during COVID-19 and other crises
Creative Capital, “List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak“
“CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds” from Independent Sector
Association of Performing Arts Professionals resource page
Open document “COVID-19 Resources for the Artist Organization Field” from Common Field
The American Alliance of Museums, “COVID-19/Coronavirus Resources & Information for the Museum Field“
Statement and emergency fund for artists and arts administrators of color from Arts Administrators of Color Network
Alliance of Artists Communities, “COVID-19 Preparedness for Residencies”
Racism is a Virus Too rapid response fund from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to support community-based organizations that provide services for Asian American communities.
Association of Performing Arts Professionals’ list of resources, including an updated list of webinars
“Ways of Gathering in the Age of COVID-19: A Guide to Livestreaming on HowlRound TV”
“COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Arts Funding: Update and action items” from Grantmakers in the Arts
Springboard for the Arts, “Principles for Ethical Cancellation“
Resources for Reopening
Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide
New Orleans and Louisiana Resources
Platforms has established the Creative Response Relief Fund to provide $2,000 individual emergency relief grants to creators in the greater New Orleans region
COVID-19 Artist and Community Resources from the Contemporary Arts Center
New Orleans Business Alliance emergency grants for gig workers
City of New Orleans rental assistance program
Louisiana Law Help coronavirus information, including tenants’ rights
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services has launched the COVID-19 Legal Helpline 1-844-244-7871 to provide free legal help for low-income people with civil legal problems related to COVID-19
Free consultations with primary care physicians for Louisiana residents throughout April from LSU
Quantifying Economic Impact
National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) field survey for independent cultural workers and arts organizations
Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers
Americans for the Arts 5-minute survey for arts organizations: The Economic Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Arts and Cultural Sector
On Racial and Social Justice
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Statement on Discrimination and the Coronavirus Epidemic
The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies’ National Call to Action
Asian American Feminist Antibodies: Care in the Time of Coronavirus collaborative Zine from Asian American Feminist Collective and Bluestockings NYC
Native Americans in Philanthropy resource library for Tribal communities
Design Studio for Social Intervention, “Social Justice in a Time of Social Distancing”
“Cover the Coronavirus without Being an Ableist Asshole” from Bitch Media
Health and Mental Health Resources
“Self-care tips if you become sick with COVID-19 from an activist nurse” Google doc
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, “Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty”
“How to Prevent Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing,” from Scientific American
For Arts Supporters
“Things to Do (to support the arts right now)” from Crosscut
For Funders
A Call to Action: Philanthropy’s Commitment During COVID-19, from the Council on Foundations
United Philanthropy Forum Joint Statement: “Keep Equity at the Forefront in Philanthropy’s Response to the Coronavirus“
“Funders, this is the rainy day you have been saving up for” from Nonprofit AF
Advocacy
Performing Arts Alliance online campaign to Congress, “Nonprofits Need Access to COVID-19 Relief”
American Alliance of Museums online campaign “Tell Congress: Include Museums and all Nonprofits in COVID-19 Relief and Economic Stimulus Packages“
Council of Nonprofits letter to Congress, “Why Nonprofits Must Be Included in a COVID-19 Relief and Economic Stimulus Package”
Actors’ Equity press releases
Online Arts Events
“Online Arts Events During the COVID-19 Outbreak” from Creative Capital
The Social Distancing Festival
Theatre without Theater on Instagram
OntheBoards.tv offering free performance rentals through April