In the days since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, events have been cancelled and resources have become scarce. For artists and arts organizations, that often means a dangerous loss of funds. Some are struggling with how to move forward during this time of uncertainty.
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Many of us may not be personally vulnerable to the worst symptoms of the virus, but we all have loved ones who are. We all bear the responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 by following advice from the CDC to wash our hands often, stay home when we can, and practice social distancing until the danger has passed.
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As state captains for Americans for the Arts, we are asking creators & arts organizations who are affected by this crisis to fill out the Coronavirus Impact Survey. It is designed to collect information about the financial and human impacts the pandemic has had on the creative community. The results of this survey will help us better advocate for artists and organizations at the local, state and national levels.
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Hawai‘i Arts Alliance has signed on to a 15-point proposal to put creative workers to work. We urge you to review the proposal & advocate for your creative community. A wealth of online resources for the creative community can be found at the COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources page. We also recommend the Artists in a Time of Global Pandemic webinar by Howlround.
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Americans for the Arts has put together a chart detailing the Federal Arts Funding Opportunities for Nonprofit and Commercial Arts Organizations and Individual Artists.
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Resources for advice and assistance:
U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Hawaii Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
Hawaii Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (for self-employed/contract workers)
Oahu COVID-19 Hardship Relief Program
Maui County Financial Assistance for Essential Needs
Creative Capital List of Arts Resources
Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Resource & Response Center
NEA COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
Arts Education Partnership COVID-19 Resources
Resources for Hawai'i During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources for the Performing Arts by Doris Duke Foundation
Resources for Actors, Creators + Performing Artists from Backstage
Annuity.org COVID-19 Financial Guide
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Fight rumors by checking official resources:
State of Hawaii Department of Health
Honolulu County (Oahu) Resources & Information
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A few ideas to #KeepMakingArt at home:
Arts Education for All:
Call to Art: an Un-Conference for Arts Educators
Free Arts & Humanities courses from Coursera
Ivy League courses you can take online for FREE​
Bamboo Ridge Press back issues
Barnes Take Out daily Art Talk
Creative class suggestions from My Modern Met
State Foundation for Culture & the Arts: Arts Activities & Resources
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Virtual Venues:
Museums, Zoos, & Theme Parks with virtual tours & live cameras
The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Museum Resources, E-Learning, and Online Collections
The Metropolitan Opera's Nightly Opera Stream
NPR's list of virtual/streaming concerts
HPR's list of local streaming artists
Hawaii International Film Festival at Home
Rent Books or Stream Movies with your Hawaii State Library card
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Creative Kids:
Free stories & classic books for kids from Audible
Daily Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "The HI Way"
Art Explorium "Creative Reuse" lesson plans
The Metropolitan Museum for Art #MetKids
Art for Kids Hub daily lessons
ART APART - art education ideas you can do from home from KID smART
Living Room Learning from the Center for World Music
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As artists, we disperse ideas and create communities. If you are able to teach or share your art online, please do so. Let's use our talents to spread the word on how to keep safe and sane during this crisis. Take care of yourself, your family, and friends. Keep your community in mind, and remember that we are all in this together, on these islands in the middle of the Pacific.
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We at the Hawai‘i Arts Alliance are also being greatly affected by the shutdown. Please consider helping us advocate for & support the local creative community by donating what you can:
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