Updates & Resources from Americans for the Arts

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced arts organizations across the globe to rethink and reshape the way they operate and present their programs. When analyzed, a vast majority of these changes are not temporary, but permanent organizational changes we need to make regardless of the ability to present in-person events. The ultimate goal during this time is to maintain engagement as a team and with the public in any way possible, while at the same time figuring out a strategy to build revenue and donations during and after the crisis. The silver lining is that this situation offers arts organizations an opportunity to spend time growing and evolving into the ever-changing digital landscape, increasing overall reach and audience engagement.

Americans for the Arts is providing free access to COVID-19 blogs, research, and many webinars. If you can, please consider supporting our work with a donation.

With billions of dollars newly added to replenish the popular Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA’s Emergency Disaster Loans, this ArtsU webinar on the federal CARES Act will features local success stories and best practices of artists and arts groups who have already successfully secured CARES Act funding and tips for applying, findings from the three active surveys and one tracker that Americans for the Arts is currently conducting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts, and a customized walk-through of the newly updated Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Resource and Response Center on the web.

COVID-19 has created substantial disruption to earned revenue for organizations and income streams for individuals. Are you thinking about setting up a relief fund? Not sure where to start or how to best navigate it? Join our panel as they share how they set up their relief funds, questions to ask, and insights they learned through the process.

This session will discuss fundraising and crafting a spring appeal in the age of COVID-19. We will discuss questions like, Is it appropriate to fundraise in this time? What is the strategy and message? What can arts organizations do now to continue engaging with patrons and donors, even while most of us are unable to gather in person? Presenters will facilitate a discussion, share best practices, and highlight different approaches arts organizations can take.