Responses to Covid-19

Our staff has compiled a list of local, state and federal resources for individuals, organizations and small businesses to respond to closures, cancellations, and other issues arising from coronavirus’ spread. We’ll try to keep adding as new information is released.

Share your input: 

Tracking local impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis is important in advocating for additional resources and financial relief, and in decisions about how, when, where those resources get allocated. A number of organizations are currently hosting surveys to compile information about the on-going crisis. Share your input!

• Please take this anonymous survey created by Artist Trust to answer a few questions about how COVID-19 is impacting your livelihood. We’ve partnered with Artist Trust so that Spokane Arts will have access to responses from Spokane County, and the anonymous responses will help us see exactly what the needs are and figure out ways to support.
• Washington Filmworks is tracking film industry data on lost work due to the Coronovirus. Take their survey here if you’re in the film industry and have had work interrupted, delayed, or cancelled.
• GSI is surveying Spokane area businesses to collect information on local losses due to COVID-19. Take their confidential survey, which should take 5-10 minutes to complete.“GSI, West Plains Chamber, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber, Downtown Spokane Partnership and Visit Spokane are concerned about you and your business as we are all navigating uncharted waters with COVID-19. Our goal is to understand and capture your business needs so we can be helpful in providing visibility into the vast array of resources being established as we speak at the local, state and federal levels. In addition, we strive to help coordinate informational resources between our government and our local business community, share information and provide assistance to help maneuver through these times.” 

Resources and Government Services: 

• Health Insurance: Washington has opened a special enrollment period so that individuals can sign up for insurance. Find out more here: https://www.wahbexchange.org/washington-healthplanfinder-announces-special-enrollment-period-in-response-to-growing-coronavirus-outbreak/
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. Get more details and apply for assistance here.
• The Employment Security Department has adopted a series of emergency rules to relieve the burden of of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses. If you are affected by COVID-19, Employment Security has programs that may be able to help. Check out their comparison guide to see some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply.
• The COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. With everything from this general preparedness resources to emergency grant funding to best practices for online teaching, this aggregated list of free resources is useful and available to artists of all disciplines.

Grants and Emergency Funding: 

SAGA: Spokane Arts Grant Awards allows for requests for operational support. We expect to see many more such requests in the wake of COVID-19. The next SAGA application period opens May 1 and closes June 1, with funding distributed on August 1. Reach out to Spokane Arts’ Grants Administrator Shelly if you are interested in pursuing operational support funding from SAGA or have any questions about SAGA applications or funding. (And if you’re a current SAGA grant recipient with questions about extensions or changes to your grant-supported events, contact Shelly! Issues with closures, cancellations, access to resources, or even ill health, are expected in this time. Plan with Shelly now for the appropriate extensions to keep SAGA funds in your hands.)

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program: The USBG National Charity Foundation, with support from Jameson, is offering emergency grants for bartenders. Get the details, check your eligibility and apply on their website. 

ArtsWA Grants: Up to $5,000 proposals for either project support or operational support. Project support grant due April 10; general operating support grant due May 18. Find all the details and deadlines on their website.

Opportunity Grant: The Innovia Foundation has a small, rolling Opportunity Grant designed to address “an unexpected condition which impairs an organization’s ability to function or causes individuals/groups served by the organization to be at unusual risk.” Please review their guidelines to determine if you would be eligible: https://innovia.org/nonprofits/apply-for-a-grant/

Spokane Artists & Creatives Fund: Has your income been affected by Covid-19 related event cancellations? Take this short survey and let us know how you’ve been affected to apply for emergency funding here. This emergency funding is open to all disciplines and types of artists/creatives that need support during this time due to COVID-19 related event cancellations and loss of income. The hope for this emergency fund is to help keep individual creatives afloat in the immediate short-term. Please note that receiving a distribution from this emergency fund *will in no way affect* any individual’s eligibility for future SAGA grants.

Additional tools and resources for both individuals and organizations can be found on our website at www.spokanearts.org. Spokane Arts is also exploring every avenue available to secure resources  to help support collectives, organizations, and creative businesses, who also need all of our support in this difficult time. We’ll post updates on those efforts via Spokane Arts’ social media, newsletter, and website.