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

CREATIVE WASHTENAW AID. More jobs lost. Please give to help.

The recent spike in COVID-19 cases delays reopening arts & cultural venues!

More coronavirus cases are being reported every day, with the latest toll of 565 new confirmed cases reported Sunday, August 16, according to Bridge.com. Those numbers bring the totals to 92,720 confirmed cases and 6,324 confirmed deaths. 

Orders for indoor gatherings continue to be limited to 10 and outdoor gatherings to 100 are still in place in Washtenaw County and all of Region 1. It's been five months since performance venues, film theaters, most museums and galleries have been opened.

New requests for Creative Washtenaw Aid come in daily. Please Keep Giving!

The more raised, the more aid distributed so that once the green light is given, our creatives will be ready to return to the cultural gathering places across the greater Ann Arbor are to do what they do so remarkably: give of their art so that we can rejoice, renew, remember and reflect on our humanity as individuals and together as community.

The Arts Alliance News & Announcements

ReVIVE All Zones 

Call for Entries Extended

~ Two $6,525 commissions remain ~

A Tactical Urbanism Infused Project

by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and managed by The Arts Alliance

Proposals accepted until last two commissions selected or program closes.

ReVIVE All Zones, a vital, inclusive, vibrant and enthused project, is intended to revitalize existing streetscape elements in downtown Ann Arbor and reclaim the view – rapidly, resiliently and respectfully.

Washtenaw County-based creative teams and/or artists are encourage to submit proposals to alter downtown streetscapes and elements including the pavement, sidewalks, planters, furniture, barricades, posts, cylinders, curbs, bump outs, lane markers, transit stops.

Find the ReVIVE All Zones Call for Entries Here – UPDATED

Find the ReVIVE All Zones Call for Entries Application here.

Find the ReVIVE All Zones proposal budget template here.

Latest COVID-19 News & Resources

MI Senator Gary Peters' Investigation into Postal Delays -- You can help!

If you have had experienced postal service delays or issues, share it with the Senator's office here.

Sign up for the United Way of Washtenaw County 21-Day Equity Challenge

This self-guided learning journey takes participants through a state-level exploration of the history and impacts of racism and how it has shaped the lives of people in Michigan. Along the way, participants will be equipped with resources and tools to take action for racial equity in their work and lives. Help raise awareness, shift attitudes and change outcomes. The Challenge runs September 8 – 28, 2020. Sign up

Is New Philanthropic Income Replacing Lost Ticket Income?

 “While it is technically impossible to track the conversion of refunded tickets to gifts, it seems likely that a proportion of the growth in gifts from ‘Super Active’ customers is from converted box office income. Without these loyal customers, it is likely that levels of giving would have been even lower.”  Read more.

Looking for a job? Check Out This Workforce Ready Partnership

 to offer members a one-time mock interview and resume review. You won't want to miss out on this amazing opportunity! Get started! Read about this opportunity here.

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

Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, in partnership with United Way of Washtenaw County, has launched a Financial Navigator program to help residents manage the financial impact of COVID-19. Financial Navigators provide one-on-one telephone assistance (at no cost) navigating critical financial issues and making referrals to other social services and resources. Click HERE to read more or call 734-677-7202 to talk to a Financial Navigator.

Advocacy & Action for Arts + Creative Industries

Arts + Creative Advocates

You're Invited to ArtsVote @DNC

Virtual Event 8-20-20 at 6:00pm ET

Other actions to take:

Pledge to make your vote count for the art + creative industries

Sign the Arts Petition to the Presidential Candidates

Use the #ArtsVote 2020 Social Media Toolkit

Why the arts + creative industries matter in Michigan

Remember to Complete Your 2020 Census

Your voice matters now more than ever. The new deadline date of the Census 2020 count is September 30. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for our community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

There are three ways to respond to the 2020 Census from the comfort of your own home - online, by phone or by returning the paper questionnaire. Visit 2020census.gov to learn more & fill out your census online! You also have the option of completing the questionnaire by phone.

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.

Happenings

CWHH is on Vakay in August - See You on September 30

Member Events

Blue Llama Jazz Club: Ron Di Salvio Trio

9:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20

Reserve Table or Watch Online Here

The Penny Seats Theatre Company: Eldritch

8 p.m. Friday, August 21

RSVP Here

The Ark: Ark Family Room Series featuring Miss Tess

8 p.m. Tuesday, August 25

Watch Here

Michigan Theater: Virtual Movie Trivia Night

7 p.m. Thursday, August 27

RSVP Here


Grants & Relief Funds

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Grants

Community Investment 2020 Rolling Grant Program is seeking opportunities to invest funds in community-based projects that specifically support 1) Relief and recovery efforts related to COVID-19 and/or 2) Programs that work to bring equity/resources to marginalized communities. We are seeking opportunities that will meet an emerging need in the community and/or address capacity issues at the agency, collaborative, or sector levels.

The Cultural Economic Development Rolling Grant Program is seeking opportunities to invest funds in new or existing programs that are serving communities through arts and culture leading to economic recovery and growth by focusing on three areas: Individual artists, COVID-19 Recovery, and Racial Equity.

The Community Grantmaking Program is seeking opportunities to invest funds in community-based projects that specifically support relief and recovery efforts related to COVID-19 and/or programs that work to bring equity/resources to marginalized communities. Grant requests that meet an emerging need in the community and/or address capacity issues at the agency, collaborative, or sector levels will be prioritized.

Michigan Humanities Arts and Humanities - Fall 2020 Humanities Grants due Aug 27

Humanities Grants emphasize collaboration among cultural, educational and community-based organizations and institutions in order to serve Michigan’s people with public humanities programming. These grants play a vital role in defining Michigan's culture, state, community and ourselves, and are intended to connect us to Michigan’s rich cultural heritage and historical resources through initiatives that help the people of our state reason together and learn from one another. Find the grant details here or email Director of Federal and State Grants, Jennifer Rupp, at jrupp@mihumanities.org.

$10,000 - $50,000 - United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund due Aug 28 - Arts Midwest

Thanks to an anonymous donor, Arts Midwest is expanding funding available through the United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund to smaller organizations in the Midwest. These new funds will award grants of $10,000 to $50,000 to organizations with budgets between $50,000-$249,999 (pre-COVID19), prioritizing arts and cultural organizations in rural communities and organizations led by and/or serving indigenous people and people of color. Anyone may nominate an arts organization to receive an award by filling out a simple online.

$1,000 - $10,000 - US Artists International Announces 2020-2021 Cycle due Oct 1 - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF)

The USArtists International program (USAI) supports performances by U.S. artists at impactful international festivals and performing arts marketplaces outside the United States and its territories. USAI funds the engagements of exemplary solo artists and ensembles across all performing arts disciplines including dance, music, theater, multidisciplinary work, and folk/traditional arts. Applications are available now for projects taking place between January 5, 2021 and June 30, 2022.

Need-to-Know Info About $$$, Taxes & More

August 8 President's Executive Orders

Read this analysis of these two programs:

  • Payroll Tax Deferral: The EO calls on the secretary of the Treasury to defer the withholding, deposit and payment of payroll taxes from Sept. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020.
  • Assistance Program for Lost Wages: The EO provides that the federal government will set up a federal assistance program for lost wages to supplement unemployment benefits.
Why Trump's unemployment boost may only be $300 a week for many.  August 10 Roll Call.com article

Local & State News Sources to Follow

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 Resources

For the fastest updates and breaking news!

- Follow The Arts Alliance on Facebook

- Follow The Arts Alliance on Twitter

The Arts Alliance’s COVID-19 Support Page

- Resources– including advocacy, support and affiliation agencies

- Aid, assistance and grants for artists, creatives and organizations – COVID-19

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.