WASHINGTON STATE COVID-19 RESOURCE WEBSITE
The state has created a website designated for all its COVID-19 related information including: resources available to families, workers, and businesses; health recommendations; statistics; emergency actions; and more. Visit coronavirus.wa.gov for resources and information.
MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE INFORMATION
For those who need to access medical and healthcare information provided by government organizations there are many sources. Locally those who reside in King County may search for coronavirus information at kingcounty.gov. If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to COVID-19 call (206) 477-3977 between 8am to 7pm. If you believe you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, call 9-1-1. For Washington State Department of Health information, visit doh.wa.gov. For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State call the Coronavirus call center at 800-525-0127. For Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information visit cdc.gov.
MAYOR DURKAN ANNOUNCES INITIAL $1.1 MILLION ARTS RECOVERY PACKAGE
On March 17, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced $1.1 million in City of Seattle Funding to invest directly in creative workers and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19. The recovery package consists of two main initiatives: the first is $100,000 in immediate relief for artists and creative workers through two private artist relief funds and the second is a $1 million Arts Stabilization Fund to invest in arts and cultural organizations to mitigate revenue loss.
COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCES FROM CITY OF SEATTLE
The Office of the Mayor has created a COVID-19 community resources page to help those in need. The page, which is updated regularly, features information and links for City of Seattle program and services as well as links to business and community programs. The links cover healthcare support, immigration-related information, food support, utility bills support, as well as worker support and internet access among others. To access this information online visit seattle.gov/mayor/ covid-19. To contact the Office of the Mayor, call 206 684 4000.
KING COUNTY CREATIVE COVID-19 HANDBOOK
King County Creative has created a handbook for Creative Industries. The handbook is being rapidly updated to bring together resources to take care of yourself and family; to support the arts and culture community; and to prepare for recovery. Access the handbook at handbook.kingcountycreative.com.
ARTS AND CULTURE LEADERS OF COLOR EMERGENCY FUND
The Arts Administrators of Color Network has created an emergency fund. Applications are accepted via google form. Google “Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund” to quickly access the form.
LOCAL ARTIST AND MUSIC TEACHER RELIEF GOFUNDME
Currently there are two gofundme fundraisers set up by local Seattle artists asking for public funding and in turn providing financial support for those in need. Ijeoma Oluo, a writer and activist, has helped organize the “Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19” which aims to provide financial assistance to artists and other creatives who can no longer work and support themselves due to current government restrictions. Priority may be given to artists from communities that have been historically and systemically economically disadvantaged in the Seattle area. Likewise, Nate Omdal, a bassist, composer, and activist has set up the “Seattle Music Teacher’s Fund” which aims to provide financial relief to teachers whose lesson have been canceled. Read Omdal’s op-ed on page X for further resources. For links to both fundraisers visit gofundme.com.
ARTIST TRUST COVID-19 ARTIST RELIEF FUND
The Artist Trust Artist Relief Fund will provide rapid response grants supporting the critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19. These unrestricted cash grants are intended to support working artists with lost wages and earnings, reimbursement for travel loss, and help with rent and mortgage payments, living expenses, and medical expenses. Applications for grants are accepted on a rolling basis and selected weekly. Grant amounts range from $500–5,000. To be eligible artists must live in Washington state and be 18 years or older. For more information visit artisttrust.org
MUSICIANS’ ASSOCIATION OF SEATTLE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Local 76-493 members who are in good standing and are experiencing hardship may be eligible for support. The fund will contribute towards bill payment and will also offer non-interest-bearing loans. Members should contact warren@local76-493.org or call 206 441 7600. Further details are available at local76-493.org.
SMASH HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
The Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare (SMASH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping Seattle’s music community thriving. They offer both healthcare and dental services. SMASH subsidizes preventative healthcare visits, and provides low or no-cost preventative dental care. For details visit smashseattle.org
SEATTLE FOUNDATION COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND
Seattle Foundation, a community 501(C)(3) foundation, is hosting a COVID-19 Response Fund with donations totaling over $13 million. The fund is a coalition of philanthropy, government, and business partners and will provide flexible resources to organizations working with local communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of this outbreak. Seattle Foundation is not accepting requests for grants; instead grants will be administered by United Way of King County in collaboration with the King County Pandemic Community Advisory Group. Grants will be given to organizations already working with the local community. In the initial stages, priority will be given to organizations that work with resident’s without health insurance, healthcare and gig economy workers, residents with limited English, and communities of color. The fund expects to make an initial round of grants in the next few weeks. To donate to this fund or to find out more information visit seattlefoundation.org.
4CULTURE RELIEF GRANTS
In light of the ongoing health crisis, 4Culture has pivoted their funding focus and will be offering a Cultural Relief Fund of $1 million. Full details and timeline are not yet finalized, but these are details currently available at the time of press: funds will be available for cultural organizations and practitioners affected by COVID-19 closures and cancellations; deadlines will be rolling and funding rounds will take place multiple times throughout the year with simplified application processes. Stay tuned via email, 4Culture’s website at 4culture.org, and social media channels for information on how to apply for the Cultural Relief Fund once it has launched.
MUSICIANS FOUNDATION
Based out of New York but serving musicians nationally, the Musicians Foundation assists performers, educators, and composers. The foundation is urging people to give donations to directly help more musicians receive aid. The foundation will soon be launching a CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program to give eligible applicants modest grants of up to $200. Check out their website at musiciansfoundation.org for more details.
RECORDING ACADEMY MUSICARES
MusiCares Foundation is part of the Recording Academy, and it provides a safety net of critical assistance for musicians in times of need. They are accepting donations and applications for assistance. MusiCares may grant short-term financial assistance for needs such as rent, car payments, insurance premiums, utilities, medical and dental expenses, therapy and other personal expenses. For more details visit grammy.com/musicares.
COVID-19 IMPACT SURVEYS
Organizations are asking people to contribute to impact surveys. To study the impact on arts and cultural organizations, Americans for the Arts have created an economic impact survey that can be found at americansforthearts.org. To study the impact on artists, Artist Trust have provided a survey that can be accessed at their COVID-19 page at artisttrust.org.
SRJO ARTISTS TO PROVIDE FREE ON-LINE MUSIC LESSONS TO LOCAL STUDENTS
In response to the cancelation of Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra’s (SRJO) rehearsals and performances and the need in the community for continued education, SRJO ensemble musicians will offer their talents to school students forced to stay home due to mandated school closures. The SRJO’s regular Jazz Scholars teaching staff will be bolstered by the addition of leading artists from the award winning ensemble. Participating musicians such as pianist Randy Halberstadt, saxophonist Mark Taylor, and drummer D-Vonne Lewis and others will teach free, private lessons to students using live online technology to both children and youth from underserved communities. For more information visit srjo.org
