As the current pandemic continues to affect the creative and cultural sectors across the nation, Erie Arts & Culture is committed to serving as a central source of information during this difficult time. In addition to initiating our Emergency Financial Assistance Fund for creative and cultural professionals in Erie County, we have compiled a list of additional resources that may be helpful to those who operate in our sector.
Coming Soon: PRO Network Resource Page
As part of Erie Arts & Culture's PRO Network initiative, we are currently developing a permanent page that will include resources for those in the creative and cultural sector. This page will be updated weekly to help to best serve our service areas. The page will include a library of EAC's online resources and webinars, grant opportunities, call to artists for commissioned work, residency opportunities, fellowships, and more.
For now, several of our resources are available on our blog and grant opportunities are listed below.
Online Resource: Interview with Kemi Ilesanmi
Webinar: Intellectual Property and the Creative Sector
Webinar: Filing for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
If you are in need of financial assistance, we encourage you to apply for several opportunities to increase your likelihood of receiving aid.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the artist community, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts is creating a temporary fund to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions. For as long as our Board of Directors determines it is necessary and prudent to do so, the Foundation will disburse one-time $1,500 grants to artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the pandemic.
The application deadline is May 31 but we encourage you to apply soon, as some grants close quickly due to demand.
To apply, visit: https://www.foundationforcontemporaryarts.org/grants/emergency-grants-covid-19-fund
Early Musician Mini-Grant
The current global health crisis is having a severe impact on arts and culture. Performances and productions have been canceled for months, with the result that many musicians are suffering severe financial stress. More than 120 musicians have completed EMA’s COVID-19 Impact Survey and most are reporting financial losses resulting from concert cancellations. It’s hard to comprehend the impact this moment will have on the arts in the US.
Although mini-grants can’t make up for a couple of months of loss of performance income, EMA hopes to assist in a small way and in doing so, set an example of community spirit and provide some hope in this time of unprecedented challenge to livelihoods, artistic expression, and security.
Early musicians will receive, on a first-come-first-served basis, a payment of $250. The money will be redistributed by Zelle transfer (US residents only) or a check mailed through Bank of America’s bill pay system.
To apply visit: https://www.earlymusicamerica.org/support/weareearlymusic/
Our Town Grant: National Endowment for the Arts
Our Town is the National Endowment for the Arts’ creative placemaking grants program. Through project-based funding, NEA suppors projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes. Successful Our Town projects ultimately lay the groundwork for systemic changes that sustain the integration of arts, culture, and design into local strategies for strengthening communities. These projects require a partnership between a local government entity and nonprofit organization, one of which must be a cultural organization; and should engage in partnership with other sectors (such as agriculture and food, economic development, education and youth, environment and energy, health, housing, public safety, transportation, and workforce development). Cost share/matching grants range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount.
The deadline is 08/06/2020.
To apply visit: https://www.arts.gov/grants-organizations/our-town/grant-program-description
