We’re Here to Help
The SC Arts Alliance and the SC Arts Commission are working together to provide resources and advocacy for the creative sector’s response to COVID-19. The SC Arts Commission is handling the collection and organization of various digital resources for artists, organizations, and educators. The SCAA is taking the lead on advocacy / policy related issues impacted or driven by COVID-19.
COVID-19’s impact is ever-changing in our state. As such, if you need special assistance and we have not yet provided a resource for you, please reach out and let us know. We are here to help.
The SCAA has created a Reopening Guide for Arts Venues and Organizations in response to COVID-19. The SCAA also continues to monitor the guidelines issued by the CDC, SC DHEC, AccelerateSC, Department of Commerce, and industry partners.
The Reopening Guide provides a series of guiding questions for arts venues and organizations to consider to inform their decision on when and how to reopen their doors to their staff and the public.
Download the Reopening Guide >>
Additional Resources
Many of these are also linked in our Reopening Guide, others were added to this list after the issuance of our Guide:
SC Gov. Henry McMaster Executive Orders
Department of Commerce Complete Guidelines
Hotels (Includes Banquets / Meetings)
Faith-Based Organizations (Gatherings)
- FDA Restaurant Reopening Best Practices | Infographic
- Arts Insights – Overcoming a Crisis
- Performing Arts Centers Consortium
- Event Safety Alliance Guide
- Utah Statewide Reopening (Arts/Culture – Page 12)
- Connecticut Arts Reopening Guidelines
- Music Cities Together
- American Alliance of Museums
The SC Arts Commission is managing the collection and distribution of digital resources for artists, arts organizations, and arts educators.
In order to best position the arts for a seat at the table, we need data to back up the real loss this will have on the arts industry. Please fill out the survey(s) below to help us acquire that data.
When full packages are passed, or action is available to be taken, we will post them here.
- Arts included in US House HEROES Act >>
- Arts included in CARES Act Stimulus Package >>
- Americans for the Arts has issued an email campaign to encourage Congress to fund the estimated (to-date) $4 billion impact of COVID-19 on the arts through the National Endowment for the Arts. Send your email here >>
- The “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” includes many items to help the economy and individuals. Passed House and Senate, unchanged between chambers. Read the House version summary >>
Many arts nonprofits are dependent upon grants. With the COVID-19 crisis crippling many organizations, the industry is left wondering about how it will handle various aspects of its grant funding. Our advice is first, contact your funders for guidance. We have talked with many funders across the state already and they are looking at how to make their policies more flexible for this crisis. When we are made aware of changes that can be publicly published, we will do so here.
We know that closures and cancelations translate into lost revenue and uncertain futures for staff or for your studio / small business. Short of direct aid, one measure employees may seek is unemployment assistance.
Updates
- May 21: TogetherSC will host a webinar training for nonprofits to become DEW Connection Points, a site listing resources to help navigate unemployment. Click here for info
- April 21: DEW Issues Guidance for Self-Employed / 1099 employees >>
- April 21: DEW Video for Self-Employed / 1099 >>
- March 30: SCAA Update >>
- March 26: US Senate Stimulus Package includes expansion of UI benefits >>
CARES ACT UPDATE:
While the below is still good knowledge to know, with the passage of the CARES Act by Congress, almost all individuals whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19 are now eligible for unemployment benefits. See our post on this by clicking here >>
Eligibility
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is not required to be paid by some nonprofits or businesses, including those with less than four (4) employees. If you work for an entity that is not required to pay UI, and doesn’t self-insure, you may not be eligible to receive unemployment assistance. Also exempt from coverage are independent contractors, regardless of the size of the employer.
If you do work for an entity that qualifies to pay for UI, or pays for it on their own, you could be eligible for benefits.
We have found this article by the National Council of Nonprofits to be very easy and helpful >>
How can those currently not eligible become eligible?
There are two ways employees of the smaller entities (< 4 employees) and the self-employed can become eligible:
- Federal Disaster Declaration for South Carolina: When a federal disaster declaration is issued for a state (not a “state of emergency”) by the federal government, it opens up Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA automatically makes those who are ineligible for unemployment benefits under certain provisions, eligible (including small entities and self-employed). This process begins by a request from the Governor to the President. To-date, only a handful of states have requested and/or received that designation (e.g. Washington, New York, etc).
- State Action: The Governor and/or the Legislature can also, without the federal government, allow for greater flexibility in eligibility rules during this emergency. If you represent an organization, company, or are self-employed and would like to sign on to a letter we have drafted asking for this flexibility (among other items), click here.
At this time, we recommend individuals / employers contacting the DEW office for clarifications.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has created greater flexibility in their Disaster Loan program. Any business hurt by COVID-19’s economic impact is eligible to apply for an SBA loan.
Updates
- May 18: SBA released PPP Forgiveness Application, providing some clearer guidance on how exactly to have PPP loans become forgivable, essentially turning them into a grant. Read Application Here
- “CARES 1.5” was signed into law, allowing another round PPP loans. Those funds are yet to be exhausted.
- April 16: Reports indicate the SBA has exhausted their initial $349 billion.
- March 30: SCAA Update >>
- March 26: US Senate Stimulus Package includes expansion of SBA Loans – nonprofits eligible >>
CARES ACT UPDATE:
With the passage of the CARES Act, Congress has created two pathways for loans / grants for nonprofits and independent contractors. We have a full breakdown in this post here >>
Below are links to actions already taken or in progress:
Let your elected officials know that our industry needs their help as they look to take action through legislation. Below are ways you can help raise the voice of the arts during this national emergency:
