Arts + Creative Industries Update - In the time of COVID-19   |  View in browser

Special Edition
COVID-19 Relief Grants for Arts + Creative Industries

A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks. There is a plethora of information coming in quickly about Relief Funding. This special edition has up-to-date information and connections to valuable resources. Monitor our socials for the most time-sensitive information. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Michigan Grants 

Michigan Small Business Survival Grants

Open Now - Jan. 22

The application is now open and will close on Friday, January 22 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST. 

The State of Michigan has allocated $55 million to implement the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program to support the needs of Michigan businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 virus and the Gatherings and Mask Order. 

In order to be eligible for funding under the Program, small businesses must be a for-profit or non-profit company and meet all criteria below. Ann Arbor Spark is allocating $4,700,000 to Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston and Monroe counties. Grants may be awarded up to $20,000 for eligible closed businesses and up to $15,000 for partially closed businesses. 

Who is Eligible?

  • Had 1 to 100 employees (including full-time, part-time and owner/employees) on a world-wide basis on November 17, 2020.
  • Is in an industry that demonstrates it is affected by the Order.
  • Needs working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses.
  • Demonstrates an income loss as a result of the Order as determined by the EDO in which an eligible business is located.
  • Is not a live music and entertainment venue that is eligible for funds under Section 401 of Public Act 257 of 2020: Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program.

Application Instructions

Application Tutorial Video

Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program FAQs

Michigan Stages Survival Grants - Open Jan. 21 - Jan. 28 

Application will open 9:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 and close at 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. 

The Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program will provide a total of $3.5 million in one-time grants of up to $40,000 to eligible entertainment and live music venues. The Michigan Independent Venue and Promoter Association (MIVPA) will be responsible for accepting, reviewing and approving applications. The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) will then distribute the grant funds based on the recommendation of the MIVPA. 

Who is Eligible?

  • Be located in the state of Michigan
  • Produce and/or present live, disciplined-based performance experiences.
  • Demonstrate at least 33% of 2019 gross revenues are from the sale of tickets for live music or entertainment events OR receive at least 70% of its earned revenue through cover charges or tickets sales, production fees or production reimbursements, nonprofit educational initiatives, or the sale of event beverages, food or merchandise
  • Demonstrate second quarter revenues from April 1 – June 30, 2020 were not greater than 10% of second quarter revenue from April 1 – June 30, 2019
  • Employ more than 30 employees on a full time basis
  • Existed prior to February 29, 2020
  • Not owned and operated in more than two states
  • Not owned and operated with offices in more than one country

Please note: Venues eligible for the Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program are not eligible to apply for a Michigan Small Business Survival Grant Program. Additionally, If you apply for and are granted an SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVO), you cannot accept a PPP Round 2 Grant. You may apply for both but accept only one.

Michigan Stages Survival Grant Program FAQs

Federal Grants

Federal - Shuttered Venues, PPP and More

SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVO)  - Webinar Friday Jan. 22 More Info

Note - The Save Our Stages Act is now called the "Shuttered Venue Operators" Grant program, distributed by the SBA.

Americans for the Arts will be hosting a webinar this Friday, Jan. 22 that will be discussing relief packages including conversation with senior SBA representatives. If registration is full, you can watch the archived recordings on the Arts Action Fund Facebook Page immediately following the live sessions. Watch the SBA's Archived Webinar on the SVO in the meantime.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants qualifying for SVO Grants may request up to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. The first $2 billion is reserved for eligible applicants with less than 50 full-time employees.

Key Info:

• Live venue operators or promoters

• Theatrical producers

• Live performing arts organization operators

• Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria

• Motion picture theater operators

• Talent representatives

• Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

Other requirements of note:

• Must have been in operation as of Feb. 29, 2020

• Venue or promoter must not have received a PPP loan on or after Dec. 27, 2020

⁃ ok if received a PPP loan before

⁃ cannot receive SVO grant and PPP second-draw loan

⁃ Must pick one or the other

More information on priority distribution, eligibility, interaction with PPP, timing and grant amounts.

Can I apply for both an SVO grant and a PPP Round 2 loan? While you may apply for both, you will only be eligible for one or the other. Please research both thoroughly so you can apply for the best fit for your organization. Funds may be replenished and/or extended with the incoming administration so instead of rushing to apply for both, do your homework carefully before choosing either application. Keep in mind that the SVO grant is based on gross earned revenue.

What to Expect:

The National Law Review (Jan. 18, 2021, Volume XI, No. 18) summarizes what we know so far and what to expect in the coming weeks: " ...the SBA has yet to release a form of SOS Grant application or to issue any related guidance as to the grant program.  We expect the SBA will shortly issue one or more forms of application which applicants will be required to complete and submit, along with supporting documentation that the SBA believes necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility to receive a SOS Grant and the SOS Grant amount...Unlike with the PPP, the SOS Program will be administered directly by the SBA (and not through PPP loan lenders or other intermediaries). Therefore, applicants will submit their SOS Grant applications directly to the SBA."

Still Have Questions?

Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs & Executive Director of Americans for the Arts Action Fund is hosting office hours to help you navigate the complex web of federal funding opportunities, regulations, and deadlines related to current and upcoming COVID-19 economic federal aid programs. Fridays, 11a.m. - 12p.m. ET.  ntunceli@artsusa.org | Office Hours with Nina 

Americans for the Arts - COVID-19 Federal Resources

First and Second PPP Loan Draws - Portal Open 

Open now to all participating PPP lenders to submit First & Second Draw loan applications to the SBA

Read more about first and second draw loans
First Draw Application | Second Draw Application

First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020, was a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.  
Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million. 

 Replenished EIDL Loans & Advances

As a reminder, EIDL loans are frequently available from the SBA. Unlike the PPP, you must pay these loans back, although payment is deferred for one year. They are compatible with an SVO grant, PPP and Unemployment. Talk more with your SBA officer; as you may be eligible for an increase. Learn more about COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans. Begin your application here

Contact the SBA

Contact SBA Michigan District Office

President-Elect Biden's American Rescue Plan  - 1.9 Trillion in Relief

Emergency Legislative Package to Fund Vaccinations, Provide Immediate, Direct Relief to Families Bearing the Brunt of the COVID-19 Crisis and Support Struggling Communities

Phase II to be rolled out February, 2021

Highlights include:

$160 billion towards national vaccine program

$130 billion for funding school reopening

14 weeks of paid sick, family and medical leave

$400 in unemployment insurance per week

$1,400 in direct payments

$350 billion in emergency state/local funding for frontline public workers

Click here for more information and detail on the plan.

Stimulus Checks & Unemployment Increase

Includes -  new IRS Stimulus Checks of $600 per taxpayer (phasing incrementally out after $75,000 adjusted gross income) and $600 for each of the tax filer’s dependent children 17 years old and younger.) There is possibility of an additional $1,400 becoming available with President-Elect Biden’s third stimulus check. More on receiving your payment here.

President-Elect Biden is also calling to increase enhanced unemployment benefits to $400 per week from $300 and plans to extend the payments through September 2021. The boost is currently set to expire mid-March. Funding will be applied retroactively if you have not yet received funds. 

Visit the State of Michigan Unemployment Office.

IRS Tax Rebate

If you didn’t receive payments or got less than the full amount from last year’s or this year’s payments, you may qualify for the credit when you complete your 2020 tax return.

Learn more about the IRS Recovery Rebate here.

The Arts Alliance. Arts + Creative Industries = Impact

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.

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.