Recovery Resources for Craft Artists
As arts organizations across the country like Tennessee Craft are compiling resources to help our artists who have been and continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are publishing this list of valuable resource links from our partner organizations and other trusted sources of information. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
Note: As of 1/5/21
Extensions of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits:
- For salaried/hourly workers, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program has been extended to April 5, 2021, once the applicant exhausts their state Unemployment Insurance (UI).
- All recipients of unemployment, including qualified self-employed gig works, will receive an extra $300/week in unemployment benefits for 11 weeks, beginning the week of December 27, 2020 to March 14, 2020. If a PUA recipient has not yet exhausted a full 50 weeks of unemployment benefits, they can continue receiving benefits until April 5th.
- “Mixed earners” with 1099/W2 income who were ineligible for PUA originally will now be eligible if they can show at least $5,000 in self-employment income in 2019. They will also receive a weekly bonus of $100 (a total of $400 extra weekly benefits) for the duration of their state UI/PEUC benefits.
States are given the ability to waive collecting overpayments of unemployment in cases where the claimant is not at fault or if repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.
Artist Resources
BKD CPA’s and Advisors: Recorded Webinar What Businesses & Individuals Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
Senate.Gov: Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 – Section by Section Summary (PDF)
Kraft CPA’s: Webinar New Year, New Rules – Webinar: Tuesday, January 12th from 9-11am CST
Inside Charity: Nonprofit Covid Relief Bill – Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021
National Council of Nonprofits: Town Hall What’s in the New COVID Relief Law for Nonprofits? Town Hall: Wednesday, January 13th at 3:00pm EST
Independent Sector: Federal COVID-19 Relief Legislation: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds
Access the latest information on the CARES Act from the Alliance of Artist Communities.
Americans for the Arts has created a hub of national resources available to artists.
Artist Relief, a coalition of national arts grantmakers, has launched a $10 million national emergency relief fund for artists and creative workers that will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists.
The Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville has compiled an extensive list of resources for national and Middle Tennessee residents, and they have announced the Greater Nashville Artist Relief Fund.
ArtsMemphis has launched their Artist Emergency Fund with support from the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and the Assissi Foundation.
The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has published information on federal assistance and how you can apply.
Creative Capital has a list of resources for artists, including online workshops, national and local grants, and other information that is updated weekly.
From the Grace Foundation, any individual resident of Greater Knoxville who has worked at least two of the last five years (professionally or vocationally) in the local arts and culture community OR who has been an active participant in the local arts and culture community, regardless of the income derived from work in the arts and culture field, is eligible to apply for up to $2,000 at one time from the program.
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announces additional $200 million grantmaking commitment to nonprofit arts & humanities.
Metro Arts Nashville has highlighted resources including foundations and freelance artist resources, including applications for THRIVE Grants for individual artists.
The Tennessee Arts Commission has put together an extensive list of resources and information including emergency funding, health and mental health resources, and small business guidance.
On June 2, 2020, Governor Bill Lee announced the use of federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to assist Tennessee small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Lee has directed the Tennessee Department of Revenue to issue business relief payments through the Tennessee Business Relief Program to small businesses for costs incurred as a result of mandatory business closures.
Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper has published a list of COVID-19 resources (mostly Tennessee-specific) including testing information, food assistance, small business resources, and health insurance information.
The United Way of Greater Nashville has launched the COVID-19 Response Fund, which was created to assist individuals, families and nonprofits experiencing financial hardship due to this virus.
Self-employed Tennessee artists can get step-by-step instructions on filing for unemployment.
Get information on tax deductions for artists.
Get updates on federal loan programs.
Webinars/Virtual Events
American Craft Council is hosting a three-part forum to explore innovations in our craft communities in the face of adversities and challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak.
