Response to COVID-19 - Resources for Artists

Artist Relief

Artist Relief 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.

Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund

Provided by Arts Administrators of Color Network. This fund is for US-based BIPOC artists and administrators.

MN Discrimination Helpline

This helpline reinforces the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans. It allows those who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Saint Paul Bridge Fund

The Saint Paul Bridge Fund is an emergency relief program for families with children and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The $3.85 million fund will be distributed to qualifying Saint Paul families with children as a flat-rate $1,000 grant and to qualifying small businesses as a flat-rate $7,500 grant. It is designed to complement other state and federal emergency relief programs and ‘bridge the gap’ between now and when those dollars are available. 

CAPI USA

They are looking for volunteers for their food shelf. Open Wednesday and Thursday for curbside delivery, but also need volunteers on Monday and Tuesday to help unload deliveries and pack boxes. May also be in need of drivers to help deliver to seniors. If anyone is interested in volunteering they can reach out to Kristina Doan their Basic Needs Manager (Kristina.doan@capiusa.org) to get more info.

MNSure

MNsure is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance in response to the potential growth of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. This SEP will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure. 

This SEP runs Monday, March 23 through Tuesday, April 21.

Springboard for the Arts - Personal Emergency Relief Fund

The Personal Emergency Relief Fund helps artists in Minnesota recover from personal emergencies by helping pay an unanticipated, emergency expense. As part of our response to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, we have expanded the guidelines to include lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. commissions, performances, contracts) due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures. Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost. At this time the fund is not available to compensate for future gigs or potential loss of business.

Springboard for the Arts - Principles for Ethical Cancellation

Many artists heavily rely on contract work to make a living, feed their families and to sustain themselves. We know that many artists do this work without strong contracts that protect them from cancellations or loss of income. We recognize that canceling or postponing events is a hardship for everyone involved and we encourage businesses and organizations to help mitigate the impact on artists, freelancers and contractors.

Together we can help sustain our vital creative community by taking actions, even if you are not contractually obligated.

Candor

A list of companies freezing hiring (and those that are still hiring). The list is 100% user-generated — add information about your company below if you know anything.

MN SEA-Owned Food Businesses

Free Kids Meals in Twin Cities

Theater Mu