Resources for Individual Creatives
Grant Opportunities:
To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States.
This is time critical, APPLY ASAP!
This is an emergency fund created by the Torrington Collective for artists and creatives in our community that are in need of support. All funds will go directly to artists in need in the form of micro-grants of $100 - $200. Please read the guidelines on the GoFundMe page before submitting application.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), will distribute one-time unrestricted cash grants of $2,000 to freelance, contract, or non-salaried archivists, art handlers, artist/photographer's assistants, cataloguers, database specialists, digital assets specialists, image scanners/digitizers, and registrars.
Government Funding:
1. Apply for Unemployment Insurance (W2 workers, 1099 workers, & self-employed workers):
General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-OnLine/index.htm
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To file a UI claim online:
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/unemplt/M1A/LogInIntro.htm
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Coronavirus update: Connecticut is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF
2. Apply for the SBA Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) (1099 & self-employed workers):
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans. This also includes a possible forgivable grant of $10,000. We strongly encourage all small businesses affected in NWCT to look into applying.
3. Apply for Payroll Protection Program (1099 & self-employed workers):
Administered by: SBA-approved banks (especially community banks). 4% interest up to 10 years. First 6 to 12 months of payment deferred. Entire loan forgiven is by the federal government if you use at least 75% of the loan for income and benefits and a maximum of 25% of loan for overhead.
4. If you did not receive your stimulus check, you can follow up here.
This application will give you information about:
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Your payment status
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Your payment type
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Whether we need more information from you, including bank account information
Relief Through Deferring Payments:
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Renters:
Talk to your landlord and see if you can negotiate rent forgiveness, reduced rent for a period of time, or some other arrangement like barter (if you have unsold inventory or are able to do custom work, or property improvements). There are provisions in the CARES Act that suspend evictions if the owner has a federally-backed mortgage. You can read more from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau here.
Homeowners:
Talk to your bank and try to negotiate interest forgiveness and several months extension of the mortgagewithout penalty. If you have a federally-backed mortgage, then there are provisions in the CARES Act that prevent foreclosure for 60 days and make a forbearance of up to 180 days available. You must go through your loan provider to access this forbearance.
Here is an excellent compilation of additional information for homeowners and renters from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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Car and Credit Card Payments:
Ask for deferral of payments without interest or penalties until after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Edmunds has an FAQ on deferring car payments.
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Health Insurance:
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If you have your health insurance through the marketplace and are anticipating a significantly lower incomethat you originally projected, you may be able to go back to the marketplace and make adjustments. You will likely be prompted to submit documentation to substantiate the change.
If you do not have coverage, there are currently 12 states that have opened up enrollment.
NPR has published a comprehensive list of health insurance scenarios and options, current as of April 3rd.
Other Resources:
RaRa is a local Connecticut online gallery platform. It is in it's prelaunch phase and is offering free membership throughout the coronavirus pandemic with the code RaRa2020 to all artists, including student artists over the age of 18. You can create a free account now, there is no credit card information required.
Mass MoCA's Assets for Artists program released round two of their Crisis-Focused Free Financial & Business Webinars. All Webinars are FREE, but capacity is limited. Contact assetsforartists@massmoca.org with any questions.