Colorado Arts + Culture Community,

With the rapidly evolving efforts to combat COVID-19’s spread in the state, Colorado Creative Industries is shifting our focus to understanding and supporting the health and economic prosperity of the arts and culture sector across Colorado. We recognize this health concern presents special challenges for the arts sector, from closures to cancelled programming, rentals and fundraisers. The impact of these closures will have a disproportionate impact on artists, gig workers, and musicians, many of whom hold jobs in other highly-impacted industries such as the service industry. We are working with our federal, state, and local partners to secure potential recovery funding and technical assistance opportunities. In addition, we are exploring opportunities that are available for the arts communities and will share them with our industry partners as they are identified. We are having conversations with arts+culture leaders and funders to discuss a collective response and we are reviewing our current CCI programs and budget for opportunities.

As we work together to navigate this crisis, we will need arts and culture more than ever to inspire, lift our spirits and drive economic recovery.

Colorado Creative Industries Updates and Action

• What is Colorado Creative Industries doing to take action?
  • Gathering and sharing resources in support of the arts community
  • Seeking feedback from constituents and promoting the Americans for the Arts 2020 Impact of COVID-19 survey to track the economic data and impact stories
  • Participating in conference calls with national and local partners to formulate coordinated responses
  • Evaluating opportunities to adapt current programs to support disaster recovery
  • Exploring models to support online and virtual opportunities for arts and culture
• The spring Change Leader Institute is rescheduled for November 9-11, 2020.
• The 2020 Creative Industries Summit and pre-convenings are tentatively rescheduled for September 30-October 2, 2020.
• We want to assure Colorado Creative Industries grantees that we will work to  support you during this difficult time. We are awaiting additional guidance from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on accommodations for grantees receiving federal funds.
• CCI staff is working remotely and maintaining regular business hours. Please contact staff via email or phone with your questions and concerns. We would also appreciate hearing about your needs, along with local and regional responses. Click here for a list of staff contacts.

An evolving list of resources is outlined below:

Regional and National Surveys

Regionally, the Western States Arts Federation is conducting a survey to better understand how artists, arts organizations, creative businesses, and creative workers are being affected across the West.
Here is the survey link.

Nationally, Americans for the Arts is conducting a survey to gauge economic and social impacts to the arts that will inform national and local response efforts.
Here is the survey link.

CERF, the Artist’s Safety Net is conducting a national survey of studio based artists. The data gathered will help them advocate for artists and inform how we can address immediate and long-term needs.
Here is the survey link.

Health and Public Safety Resources 

• Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• CDC guidance on mass gatherings
• Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment 

National Resources
On a national level the U.S. House of Representatives passed on March 14 the “Families First COVID-19 Response Act,”Emergency Coronavirus Bill: A relief package with implications for nonprofits and artist residencies. Learn more. 

• Americans for the Arts
• ArtsReady
• CERF – the Artist’s Safety Net 
• National Coalition for Arts Preparedness & Emergency Response 
• National Endowment for the Arts 
• Ready – promoting preparedness through public involvement
• Springboard for the Arts – Principles for Ethical Cancellation
• Springboard for the Arts – So You Want to Start an Emergency Relief Fund

State Resources – CO

• Help Colorado Now COVID-19 Relief Fund Accepting Grant Applications
• Colorado Tourism Office COVID-19 Messaging 
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
• Office of Economic Development Colorado COVID-19 Business Resource Center
• Small Business Resources – SBA loan applications now open!

Colorado Arts Resource Lists – these partner lists include national and local resources for artists, along with tips to support the arts and culture sector.

• Artwork Archive – Financial Relief Resources for Artists during COVID-19
• Bonfils-Stanton Responds to COVID-19: Resources for Arts and Culture
• CBCA – Resources to support the arts during COVID-19
• Community Resource Center COVID-19 Resources
• Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region Resource List 
• Denver Arts & Venues Resource List
• Philanthropy Colorado COVID-19 Resources
• Redline – Resources for artists 
• Support the Springs – small business support campaign

Colorado Arts Grants and Funding support for COVID-19

• Denver Actors Fund Emergency Relief grants for theater artists
• Denver Arts & Venues – Imagine 2020 Artist Assistance Fund (for artists residing in the city and county of Denver)
• Denver Small Business Relief fund 
• RiNo Support Fund micro-grants (for artists located in the RiNo arts district Denver)
• Southwest/Southern Colorado Emergency micro grants and loans for small businesses and non-profits

Virtual and Online Resources 

• Facebook – How to host a watch party
• Vimeo – How to plan a virtual event
• Virtual tip jars and supporting artists and musicians

Three simple ways to support the arts during COVID-19

1. If you had tickets to an upcoming cultural event (i.e., performance, concert, exhibition, lecture), consider donating that ticket back to the organization.
2. Make a financial donation, or donate your Colorado state refund through ReFUND CO to a cultural organization.
3. Hire an artist from the Colorado Artist Talents and Skills roster for jobs ranging from web design to babysitting.