Dance/USA is working with the Performing Arts Alliance, ArtsReady, and other field leadership organizations to advocate for the field, gather information, and provide a number of resources regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our field. Review the following resources to learn how your organization can prepare for and respond to the impact of this pandemic:
Federal Assistance Under Discussion & What You Can Do Now
Community by community, the impact of COVID-19 is variable and rapidly changing. As Congress and the Administration consider new forms of federal economic assistance that may be targeted or widespreaad, the dance community should contact federal officials to let them know of the unexpected loss of event-dependent revenue, income for dancemakers, and declines in charitable contributions. Learn what you can do now and find summaries of federal assistance underway below:
Contact Your Member of Congress Today!
Background Information on the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Disaster Loan Application Forms and Link to Apply Online
Unemployment Benefits Guidance was expanded by the federal government on March 12, giving states the flexibility to expand their unemployment benefits coverage to include COVID-19 related worker displacement. These changes are being made state by state. Some states have stated their intention to also develop new support for self-employed workers who are not eligible for unemployment benefits. Consult your state department of labor for more details.This package has a central focus on COVID-related paid leave for employees, relief for employers (including nonprofit employers) that provide the paid leave, and comparable leave provisions for self-employed workers. Details will be determined in regulations and guidelines issued by federal agencies during the week of March 22, which should provide answers to questions about how the requirements and relief apply to staff, artists, and independent contractors who are not able to work due to program cancellations; inability to telework; and other impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The FFCRA’s paid leave provisions are effective on April 1, 2020, and apply to leave taken between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Dance/USA will provide details as soon as they become available. In the meantime, see the following resources:
U.S. Department of Labor Hosts Dialogue through March 29, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor FAQ on Paid Leave Requirements (March 24, 2020)
U.S. Department of Labor Overview of COVID-19 Topics
U.S. Department of Labor Overview of Employer Paid Leave Requirements
Dance/USA Update on COVID-19 Paid Leave and Employer Relief Provisions (March 23, 2020)
U.S. Department of Treasury Overview of Employer Paid Leave Relief and Self-Employed Relief Provisions
Relief Package #3: Economic Stimulus and Relief Package (drafting underway)
This emergency economic stimulus relief package will be unprecedented in scope and scale. Dance/USA is advocating to ensure nonprofit arts organizations, the creative sector, and their workforce are eligible for all forms of relief, including FEMA assistance for unemployed workers (including independent contractors), enhanced incentives for charitable giving, stimulus funding directed to the arts, and more. While the details are not yet available regarding potential forgivable SBA-backed loans to support keeping workers on the payroll of nonprofit organizations, and to support self-employed workers, interested applicants are encouraged to consider contacting their local lenders to indicate interest in such a form of relief. These loans will be administered by local lenders, and not directly through the SBA.
Paid Leave Provisions Included in Bipartisan Federal COVID-19 Relief Package
Dance/USA Joins National Council on Nonprofits in Urging Congress to Provide Relief for Nonprofit Sector
Statement from National Endowment for the Art Chairman Mary Anne Carter
Dance/USA Coronavirus Impact Survey
Dance/USA is conducting a national survey related to the Coronavirus. We need up-to-date information from dancemakers in order to strengthen our efforts to advocate on behalf of the field. Take the survey now!
Performing Arts Resources
Webinar Resources and Additional Reading
CDC Resources
Dance/USA will continue to monitor this rapidly changing situation and will share more information as it becomes available. We encourage you to share these resources with your colleagues and follow Dance/USA on social media. Contact us at communications@danceusa.org if you have a resources you think should be included.
