COVID-19 Resources

ACSO has compiled a number of resources to support orchestra and ensembles in these challenging times and we will continue to update this list as we get new information.

Some of the following opportunities and resources may no longer be available. Please visit the link included in each opportunity to view the current program details. 

Are you aware of a resource for musicians or orchestras not listed here? Email us at [email protected].   

Re-opening Resources

• Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide - The Reopening Guide addresses health and sanitary issues that event and venue professionals need to consider in order to protect both patrons and workers.
• County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Reopening Protocol for Music, Television, and Film Production - See Appendix J page 5 for protocols relating to wind and brass musicians.
• California's Resilience Roadmap - State-issued guidance for reopening workplaces.
• Reopening the Cultural Sector in U.S. Cities - Industry-specific guidance from Bloomberg Philanthropies on reopening cultural, community or entertainment venues.
• Socially Distanced Onstage Works - G. Schirmer & Associated Music Publishers has compiled a selection of over 100 compositions for string orchestra, chamber orchestra, and chamber ensembles that allow for onstage social distancing, drawn from the international Wise Music Catalogue.
• The Post-Covid Concert Hall Catastrophe - Article on potential seating options in concert halls.
•  Wind Instruments May Not Be as Contagious as We Thought - Article on studies being done on wind and brass air movement.
• Four Core Principles Needed to Support Safe and Healthy Theatre Productions
• Performing Arts Center Consortium's Guide to Reopening Theatrical Venues
• In It for the Long Haul: How Arts and Cultural Organizations can Consider Adapting - This report from SMU Data Arts is aimed at helping arts and cultural organizations consider key questions and variables as they plan for reopening and a post-COVID-19 future.

Emergency Relief Funds - Federal, State, Local

Federal

• SBA Second Round of PPP loans (opened April 27)
  
• A Guide to COVID-19 and Your Finances by Annuity.org
• NEA CARES Act grants (due April 22) to nonprofit arts organizations to preserve jobs and help support organizations forced to close operations due to the spread of COVID-19
• Inside Charity: Federal CARES Act for Nonprofits – Pandemic Stimulus Overview
• Federal Assistance Overview from League of American Orchestras
• Initial Analysis of the CARES Act by Council of Nonprofits
• US Small Business Administration Coronavirus Relief Options
• Independent Sector: CARES Act - How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds
• Overview of SBA Paycheck Protection Program and Emergency Economic Injury Grants & Economic Injury Disaster Loans created by the Schusterman Family Foundation
• US Department of Labor: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Q&A
• IRS: COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses FAQs

   
California

• California Employment Development Department Coronavirus 2019 FAQs
• CalNonprofits Top 5 COVID-19 Relief Questions from California Nonprofits

   
Local

• Northern California Grantmakers - Emergency loans available for Bay Area Arts Organizations
  
• San Francisco Announces Arts Relief Program for artist and arts organizations
• Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Arts Emergency Relief Fund
  
• LA COVID 19 Relief Fund for micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits (Six rounds of funding will be offered. The first round will open on July 6, 2020 and every two weeks following that through mid-September.)

Emergency Funding & Resources for Musicians

• Disaster Unemployment Fact Sheet and Disaster Unemployment Assistance from CA Employment Development Department
• COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
• The Actors Fund - offers emergency financial assistance that helps artists in the performing arts and entertainment field in need
• Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund - intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
• Sweet Relief Musicians Fund - for musicians or music industry workers who lost 50% of your income, you're eligible to apply to this fund.
• Musicians Foundation Fund - for United States-based musicians who've been active for the past five years are eligible to apply for a microgrant.
• MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund - intended to help musicians in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic.

Take Action – Lend Your Voice to Advocacy Efforts

• Americans for the Arts Impact Survey
• Association of Performing Arts Professionals Impact Survey
• Sign on to CalNonprofits’ letter asking California policymakers to enact emergency measures to protect nonprofits.
  
  

Arts & Nonprofit Industry Resources

• Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Resource and Response Center
• National Council of Nonprofits Coronavirus and Nonprofits
• League of American Orchestras Coronavirus
• National Endowment for the Arts COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
• Association of Performing Arts Professionals COVID-19
• Californians for the Arts COVID-19 Resources
• CalNonprofits COVID-19 Resources for California’s Nonprofits
• California Arts Council COVID-19 News & Resources
• CalSAE Coronavirus Resources
• Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture COVID-19 Resources
  
  

Business Preparedness & Response

• ArtsReady - An online emergency preparedness service with a number of COVID-19 preparedness resources from across the arts and culture sector.
• California Employers Association Remote Worker Fact Sheet
• Nonprofit Times COVID-19 Employer Toolkit

• Seattle Symphony
• Los Angeles Philharmonic
• New York Philharmonic
• Chicago Symphony
  
  

Webinars Recordings
Links to recordings of webinars offering useful resources, instruction, and guidance on navigating the effects of the Coronavirus.

• Your Orchestra and and COVID-19 Federal Relief, presented by the League of American Orchestras (April 1)
• Navigating the Effects of COVID-19: Your HR, Legal & Finance Questions Answered (March 26)
• Think HR COVID-19 Updates and Employer FAQ (March 31)
• CCS Fundraising - Principles of Fundraising: Navigating the Challenges Presented by Coronavirus (March 18)
• The Event Safety Alliance: Prepare Your Organization for the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak webinar (March 4)

Public Health Information

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control
• California Department of Public Health
• CA Governor's Office - Coronavirus in California