Holiday Aid Requests have Increased. Please help!

It's been 10 months since many artists and creative workers have reported to work. Pitch in and please give today to add your support. 

We applaud everyone behind the Save Our Stages (SOS) advocacy movement led by the National Independent Venues Association (NIVA) including the 3,000+ members and Michigan's Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, co-signers of the Save Our Stages Bill. 

NIVA formed in response to COVID-19 preserve and nurture the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters. These entertainment hubs are critical to their local economies and tax bases as employers, tourism destinations and revenue generators for neighboring businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail. Independent venues exist in every state across the country; they were the first to be closed, they will be the last to open. The economic recovery process will extend well past merely reopening the front doors. Details on how SOS funds are to be distributed through the SBA are to be determined. Watch The Arts Alliance and NIVA for updates.

• The final Emergency Stimulus Plan also includes the following provisions: 
• Direct Economic Relief for Small Business - $286 billion ($120 billion in Unemployment Insurance
• and $166 in Economic Impact Payments)
• Workers and Families - $325 billion
• Support for Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions $12 billion
• Transportation - 45 billion
• Vaccines, Testing and Tracing, Community Health and Health Care Provider Support - $69 billion
• Schools - $82 billion
• Rental Assistance - $25 billion
• Nutrition and Agriculture - $26 billion
• Child Care - $10 billion
  
• Broadband - $7 billion

For a summary of the bill click here. For the full text of the 5,000 page bill click here.

Gov. Whitmer Reopens Performance Venues & Film Theaters Again
Monday, Dec. 21

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced relaxed coronavirus restrictions that allow film theaters, entertainment venues to reopen with limitations. Check your local venues to see that they are reopening as many are not choosing to due to the limited attendance restricitons.

• Fixed venue seating set at 20% capacity. 
• Non fixed seating set at 20 persons per 1,000 sq. feet.
• For all venues, no more than 100 persons may be gathered within any distinct space within the venue, except at stadiums and arenas where 250 persons may be gathered.
• Film theaters and bowling alleys, while open, cannot serve food or drink.

Read more about the order and all businesses included here. Read the official mask order and updates from Michigan.gov here. 

Michigan Stay Safe for the Holidays

Gov. Whitmer is strongly encouraging  Michigan residents to avoid travel during the holidays. While we lean on tools like Zoom to stay connected, the arts are critical to keeping our spirits up. This season, please support your local businesses, artists and arts workers, along with other "second-line" workers, who are struggling next to our front-line heroes. Now more than ever, they need your support, encouragement and attention. This issue includes several local holiday events, virtual performances and ways to say "thank you."

The Protect Michigan Commission

On Dec. 10, Gov. Whitmer introduced the Protect Michigan Commission, housed under the DHHS, that will educate Michiganders on the efficacy of the COVID vaccine. Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, will develop a plan to distribute the vaccine to those who need it most including front line workers, vulnerable populations and educators. First responders and health care workers will be among the first to receive the vaccine (Ahmad, 2020, MLive). If you are interested in applying for a board position on the Protect Michigan Commission, you may apply here. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 28.

*Tonight!* The Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale will present a one-hour Virtual Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Chorale is committed to keeping alive Negro Spirituals and other music of African American composers and arrangers even if it means social distanced singing through this global pandemic. The one-hour Virtual Christmas Celebration will highlight music recorded virtually and will provide a glimpse into the lives of Chorale members as they safely shelter-in at home this holiday.  

Saline Schools Music Department Music Video Adds Cheer to Holiday Season - Watch the heart-warming virtual holiday performance of "Sleigh Ride" from Saline Area Schools. Organized and produced by Ben Culver, middle school orchestral teacher. 

UMS Messiah Mixtape Digital Presentation: - a special program that includes favorite and memorable Messiah archival footage that features some of the world-class soloists from past presentations, virtual choir excerpts pre-recorded by the UMS Choral Union, and a Hallelujah chorus sing-a-long. Livestreams through December 31.

Masaka Kids Africana is an orphanage of young talented kids from Masaka, Uganda, East Africa whose slogan is "WE DANCE - RISE AND SHINE." The organization supports the children's education and social well being, through their talents. Watch their "Happy Merry Christmas" dance video here.  

Two Sphinx Organization alumnae have teamed up to create Intermission: a ground-breaking program that unites body, mind, breath, and music-making through yoga and meditation. Download their app here. Perfect for re-attuning the mind and body to the present moment and improving artist technique.

"Homebound"- a Ypsilanti Podcast Seeks Commonalities between older and younger generations during COVID-19- How finding common experiences helps unites intergenerational chasms. Listen to the all episodes here.

BlØm Meadworks of Ann Arbor Partners with Local Businesses to offer "BlØm Bundles" -  Creative ways BlØm has helped local businesses stay engaged with customers throughout the pandemic. Read more about their Mead Memberships here. 

Stay Active in Your Arts Community

*Final Two Days*  to shop the Gutman Gallery’s Holiday Artist Market featuring rotating exhibitions, workshops and classes. Read their schedule through Dec. 23. here.

*Final Two Days* Adrian Center for the Arts Holiday Art Market Featuring local artists. Runs through Dec, 23 and open weekdays 12 - 6 p.m. and weekends 1  -4 p.m. Interested shoppers can also call to make an appointment. Learn more here. 

Michigan Theater: Kick off your holiday lineup with new feature films including Jingle Bell Rocks. Purchase the virtual viewing here. Tickets directly benefit the Michigan Theater Foundation and their staff. Virtual Christmas Cinema: The Nice List / The Naughty List

A2SF Presents Pink Martini - Good Riddance 2020!  A2SF’s favorite “little orchestra” Pink Martini brings some much-needed holiday cheer to your living room this December with a pair of brand new streaming concert events. Buy tickets here. 

UMS Digital Presentation - Takács Quartet - streaming Dec, 21-31. Featuring works by Florence Price, Mozart, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Bartók, and Debussy. Watch here. 

The Ark Holiday Performances Online - David Broza & Friends, The Not Exactly Christmas Show, Dec. 23, 8:00 pm; Jeff Daniels Alive and Well Enough, Dec. 31, 8:00 pm. Click here for ticket information. 

Theatre Nova presents "I'm Streaming of an Alright Christmas" Dec. 19-27. Performed live on Zoom. Showtimes are 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturdays (Dec. 19 and 26); 5:00 pm on Sundays (Dec. 20 and 27); and 7:00 pm on Wed., Dec. 23 and Thurs. Dec. 24. Get tickets here.  

Saline Arts & Culture Committee Launches New Bixby Marionette Website - after receiving a grant from MCACA to digitize Bixby's archives, the committee created a website to honor the life and legacy of local resident and famed puppeteer Meredith Bixby. Read about it here. 

Riverfolk Music & Arts Organization Receives $10,000 grant to address community needs - read more here. 

Adrian Center for the Arts - Call for Art: Learn more about the Out of This World  "Celestial Bodies" juried exhibition here. Deadline Feb. 12, 2021. Welcoming work from artists in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

Chelsea's 12 Annual SculptureWalk Call for Art -  14 commissions. Selected artists receive $850 award, a year-long highly visible platform throughout Chelsea and more. Learn more here. Deadline Feb. 19, 2021.

The Barickuda Gallery at TrustArt studios is hosting Drawdown: Pathways Out of Global Warming a traveling group exhibition featuring the work of several local artists including our member Leslie Sobel. By Appointment through Jan. 9. Learn more here.

Stamps School of Art & Design The Pandemic Circle by Raqs Media Collective - An online exhibition and screening of new videos commissioned by Stamps Gallery, Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, and presented in partnership with EXPO CHICAGO. The films will premiere on Dec. 1, 2020 on U-M Stamps Youtube channel and will also be streamed by Expo Chicago’s programming microsite; they will be available until Jan. 31. 

Edgefest: Ann Arbor’s Premiere Avant-Garde Jazz Festival runs through March 26 every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are free and donations are strongly encouraged. Learn more here. 

Support Local This Holiday Season 

E-Current’s Guide to Shopping Local this Season

Support Black-Owned Businesses in Washtenaw County

A Guide to Ann Arbor’s Shopping Specials

Greater Michigan Local Gift Guide 2020 Edition

Renew Your Arts Alliance Membership

We need your help so we can do our work to support Washtenaw's artists and creative industries

The Arts Alliance's primary focus for the foreseeable future is to assist through this crisis and help reinvent the arts business model while preparing for the phased reopening of the region. 

Please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership. In addition to supporting our mission work, there are a myriad of membership benefits including two-for-one event posts in the Ann Arbor Observer and The Arts Alliance, special discounts, promotional opportunities and social media shout-outs to thousands of followers. Learn more here. 

NATIONAL

Mellon Foundation Announces Second Round of Art Museum Futures Fund Grants

One-third of U.S. museums are at risk of permanent closure. The Art Museum Futures Fund will offer grants to 14 small art museums with ties to community and social justice. Learn about the application process here. 

Wallace Foundation Seeking Researchers to Study BIPOC Arts Organizations

The Wallace Foundation is exploring issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to a select group of researchers for one or more studies related to an initiative to invest in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) arts organizations. Researchers and scholars who meet the criteria should submit materials by Jan. 4, 2021 as described on the Wallace Foundation website.

Sony $5,000 Grants for Women Videographers

Sony's mission to support the growth of underrepresented voices in photography, videography, and filmmaking and provide a platform for creators across the artistic spectrum furthering this mission with their work. Deadline Feb. 15. Apply here.

Sphinx Tank Grant - $25,000

Identifying the next great cultural entrepreneur. This innovative virtual event will showcase emerging arts & cultural entrepreneurs of color as they “pitch” their projects to a panel of experts who themselves are all successful cultural entrepreneurs. Deadline: Feb. 20. Apply here.

Herb Alpert National Relief Grants 

The Herb Alpert Foundation supports several organizations and programs that directly support musicians, actors, nonprofits and arts + education programs. Read more about these organizations and their grant and relief offerings here.

LOCAL

The Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program  

Teams of master artists and apprentices are encouraged to apply for up to $2,000 per team by Jan. 4, 2021. Information about the apprenticeship program, past awardees, and application forms can be found here. 

Ann Arbor Film Festival will Pay Artists To Show Their Films in Upcoming Competition for the 59th AAFF 

(March 23 - 28, 2021)

Along with the AAFF’s commitment to BLM and BIPOC filmmakers, the AAFF hopes this will help in further tipping the scales toward equity and fairness for all. Read more about the opportunity here. 

Call for Artists: Raise Money for Michigan Music Alliance 

Perform a Virtual Set. Learn more here. Apply here. 

Michigan Humanities - $15,000 Humanities Grants

Humanities Grants emphasize collaboration among cultural, educational and community-based organizations and institutions in order to serve Michigan’s people with public humanities programming. There are two steps to this grant program. Find all the details here.

- Now - March 2021 project proposal accepted and feedback provided.
- March 18, 2021 - Final grant application due.

Michigan Humanities - $1,500 Bridging Michigan Grants 

For Michigan nonprofits producing and presenting public humanities programs. Open until funds expended. Apply here.

Region 9 Minigrants Still Available - See The Arts Alliance Webpage.

Financial Impact of COVID-19 - Do you need help navigating? 

 Arts + Creative Advocates

Take ACTION -  Help secure funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by writing your senators here. It only takes two minutes. 

Sign the Petition to Urge president-elect Biden and VP-elect Harris to urge them to support the arts. Includes a proposal to "Put Creative Workers to Work."

"It’s Time For A Dr. Fauci For The Arts" - by Peter Marks, The Washington Post. 

"We Need to Treat Artists as Workers, Not Decorations" - by William Deresiewicz, Literary Hub. 

"Struggling Museums Are Increasingly Relying on the Generosity of Artists to Convince Private Donors to Bail Them Out" - by Naomi Rea, ArtNetNews. 

NonProfitAF - a mobilized support network for non-profit leadership seeking information on funding, grant writing, donor relations, office culture and more. Bring your sense of humor - it's pretty witty! Learn more about their Happy Hours and community forums here. 

#ArtsCreateHope Campaign - Spread the hope and stay informed about the great need of arts organizations during the COVID pandemic. 

Make a donation to Americans for the Arts to sustain the arts in communities across our nation and help us bring tools, training, research and advocacy to a massive network of artists, administrators, leaders, and educators who need them.

Learn about Michigan’s Coronavirus Racial Disparities Task Force working to increase data reporting transparency and reduce barriers to health care for impacted communities of color.

Why the arts + creative industries matter in Michigan

Why the arts + creative industries matter in Washtenaw County

Contact your Michigan legislators to encourage MCACA funding that is critical to the arts + creative industries.

Join the Arts Action Fund to advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country.

It's FREE and takes just a minute. Add your name and be counted so Congress know there are millions of arts and creative workers, businesses and citizens who insist that arts and creativity are critical to our country. Join here for updates and calls to action.

Annual membership is free and your online benefits include:

- Membership to vote on the legislative policy platforms

- Breaking news and legislative alerts from the E-Advocacy center

- Quarterly updates through Arts Action eNews

- Exclusive access to the member's only Arts Action Fund PAC

Check out these additional AFTA COVID-19 Resources

The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on the Arts and Culture Sector - Dash Board

CAREs Act Table of Funding Opportunities for the Arts and Artists

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center with constantly updated information for:

– For creative organizations & businesses  

– For artists and creative workers

– For arts + creative education, including school openings and closings

– Field tools and research

– Equity and mental health- Reopening and resources

The COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor Survey

WolfBrown developed a worldwide tracking study of audience attitudes about attendance at arts and cultural programs during and after the COVID-19 Crisis. Find timely and essential data to the sector’s decision-making about when and how to resume programming here Audience Outlook Monitor.

 Tax Relief for Entertainment Venues and Small Businesses

Entertainment venues relying on indoor dining/seating can “postpone their monthly sales, use and withholding tax payments due Dec. 20. Payments can be postponed until Jan. 20, 2021, and the state treasury will waive all penalties and interest for 31 days" (Boucher & Shamus, 2020, Detroit Free Press.) Learn more here. 

IRS changes reporting of independent contractor payments

The IRS has created a new Form 1099-NEC and revised Form 1099-MISC for 2020. The major change is that all nonemployee compensation must now be reported on the new Form 1099-NEC, which was previously reported on Form 1099-MISC. READ MORE> 

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act Reminder 

IRS Loan Forgiveness and Safe Harbor Rules 

State and Local Deductions for S Corps and Partnerships 

Michigan Treasury announced a Tax Exemption for PPE

Are you paying creative workers a fair wage? W.A.G.E. Certification is a national program initiated and operated by W.A.G.E. that publicly recognizes those nonprofit arts organizations demonstrating a history of, and commitment to, voluntarily paying artist fees that meet our minimum payment standards. If you are interested in becoming W.A.G.E. Certified please read the guidelines below, use the Fee Calculator and then begin an application here. 

WEMU 89.1 FM - Local news coverage plus local arts + creative coverage including Art & Soul with Lisa Barry, Cinema Chat with the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins and creative:impact with The Arts Alliance's own Deb Polich.

Bridge Magazine - Michigan's nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides passionate and rooted Michigan readers with honest, fact-driven journalism on the state’s diverse people, politics and economy.

All About Ann Arbor - offers local news, feature stories, restaurant news, sports news, latest events in town and more for Ann Arbor residents.

Concentrate Magazine - tells the narrative of Washtenaw County’s narrative people and businesses, new development, cool places to live, and the best places to work and play. The weekly online magazine is published Wednesdays.

All About Ann Arbor - offers local news, feature stories, restaurant news, sports news, latest events in town and more for Ann Arbor residents.

The Arts Alliance is the arts + creative industry authority in Washtenaw County. A regional agency, its mission is to advocate for and support Creative Washtenaw and ensure that the greater Ann Arbor, Michigan, region remains a great place to create, live, work, learn, play and visit.

The intrinsic and aesthetic values of the arts and creativity are determining factors of success for the members of The Arts Alliance: Creative people from students to industry experts leading the sector locally, nationally and internationally. They are professionals and amateurs who have creative practices, own creative businesses, hold creative jobs in profit, nonprofit and government entities; and offer creative products, services and programs throughout the Washtenaw community.

The Arts Alliance serves Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake and Ypsilanti plus the 21 townships in the county.  It is committed to, forever evolving and learning about diversity, equity and inclusion.This includes learning how its community defines the intrinsic and aesthetic qualities of art and creativity by the cultural expert, the credentialed scholar, the journeyed or self-taught master and/or the astute consumer of the form.

The Arts Alliance is supported by its members, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

For more information, please go to http://www.a3arts.org or contact info@a3arts.org or 734-213-2733.