See Chicago Dance is here for you in these unprecedented times. Anyone in the dance community (both members and non-members) should reach out to us anytime for guidance, support, direction, or just to talk. If you aren’t sure what to do, or what’s next for you or your organization, you are not alone. We are here to help however we can. Email info@seechicagodance.com or call our offices at (312) 846-6357 and we will direct your call to a staff or board member that will help with your concerns.
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COVID-19 Arts Resources
SCD's Health Month Series, Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Erica Hornthal, a board-certified dance/movement therapist and founder and CEO of Chicago Dance Therapy, leads a discussion (via Zoom) on mental health for dancers during the pandemic.
Arts for Illinois: A collaboration between the state, City of Chicago, and members of the philanthropic community to support the statewide creative sector during the COVID-19 crisis.
Arts Relief Fund: Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource.
The National Endowment for the Arts CARES Act: The NEA will award funds to nonprofit arts organizations across the country to help these entities and their employees endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19.
Dance/USA Resources Related to the Coronavirus: Dance/USA is working with the Performing Arts Alliance and ArtsReady to provide a number of resources regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our field.
COVID-19 Freeland Artist Resources: This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community.
Unemployment Benefits Finder: Database of unemployment filing info based on geographic location, including updates on COVID-19 amendments
Candor Hiring Freeze List: Live crowdsourced document lists all the companies who are actively hiring versus on hiring freezes. Please note this isn’t specific to the arts and entertainment industry but does have a number of creative industry employers on it.
Chicago Artist Relief Fund: Created by Chicago-area artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to support our colleagues in the greater Chicago arts community who are experiencing financial repercussions due to pandemic-related cancellations.
Lawyers for the Creative Arts Brief Service Response Center: Provides general advice by telephone on issues relating to cancellations. The Response Center is open for individual artists and managers of arts organizations affected by the Coronavirus crisis
How PPP Forgiveness Can Turn a Loan Into a Grant: The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan fund is officially tapped out (for now), but if you were able to secure a loan through this program for your freelance business, it is important to know how forgiveness of this loan will work on your 2020 tax return.
Actors Fund Emergency Assistance: Services include emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development and more.
Springboard for the Arts: Principles for an ethical cancellation.
Panel: Artists In a Time of Global Pandemic (ASL & Captioned): Join HowlRound plus a group of artists, arts administrators, and others from around the US on Monday 16 March 2020 who discussed how COVID-19 is impacting freelance artists (those who identify as independent contractors) from all disciplines and where artists can look for support in this complicated moment.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants: The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories.
Association of Performing Arts Professionals: APAP is monitoring the spread and impact of the Coronavirus on a daily basis and working with other field leadership organizations to gather information, share resources, and advocate for the field.
Chicago COVID-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up: This list is being compiled by Chicago organizer Kelly Hayes to share with groups that are doing mutual aid work around COVID-19 in Chicago.