COVID-19
CUYAHOGA COUNTY TO DISTRIBUTE $3.3 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS
On March 28, 2022, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish announced that $3.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have been dedicated to arts and culture .
More information here. Applications open in mid-August.
Assembly for the Arts and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture is partnering to distribute these dollars directly to you through special relief funding programs for nonprofit organizations, individual artists and creative businesses.
Assembly will distribute $1.65 million of these funds to Artists and Creative For-Profit Businesses. In addition, nonprofit organizations can visit CAC’s website for more information on their ARPA funding program.
More information here. Applications open in mid-August.
Ohio Arts Council offers two programs for folk artists
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How to support musicians during the coronavirus crisis
Send an email with the instrument and experience level you’re looking for, and we’ll do our best to connect you with local musicians able to help. Please note that NEOMHA will not be processing, or earning, any fees — we will provide you referrals and you can manage all the details of payment and scheduling as best works for you.
Suggestions from the Look Out Cleveland Tipsheet:
Live streaming performance: Check out the social media of your favorite local musicians – many are streaming live performances and have virtual tip jars so you can provide direct support.
Also, local musician Michelle Gaw, lead singer of the band Mimi Arden, has organized Virtual Shows CLE, which puts on regular livestreaming events by Cleveland musicians on Facebook.
Merch: Buying merch is a great way to support your favorite musicians. Many acts sell CDs, LPs, t-shirts and other merchandise on their websites or social media pages.
Support your favorite venues: Look Out Cleveland has published a list of many of the local venues that book live music. Most of those venues are losing money while they stay closed. Nose around their websites and consider purchasing gift certificates, merchandise or donating to their employee funds.
Other ways to support artists and music-industry workers
Below are some of the most effective ways that fans can contribute financially to artists and music-industry workers in need, ranked from having the most- to least-immediate impact . . . Read more.
Loans and other resources for musicians
- Free Virtual Topanga Banjo Fiddle Festival & Contest – In the spirit of folk music and its rich history of perseverance, the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest will hold its first Virtual Gimme Shelter Contest. Submit video by June 1; cash prizes offered. If you would like, dress creatively to reflect the times; you can wear pajamas, hats, hazmat suits. Have fun! Information.
- NEO Music Relief Fund – Grants of up to $500 to any professional musicians who have lost their income because of COVID-19 Information.
- Noteworthy Credit Union – Noteworthy is the arts community’s credit union, offering products specially designed to meet the unique professional and personal needs of artists and musicians. Their services range from competitive checking and savings accounts to low-interest credit cards, creative arts project loans, and their specialty, musical instrument loans. When artists join, they’re helping everyone in the arts community – including themselves. Information.
- HFLA of Northeast Ohio – Based in Beachwood, Ohio, this non-profit organization’s mission is to provide interest-free loans to address the financial challenges of residents of Northeast Ohio who lack access to traditional lending sources. Information. Here’s application.
- Grantspace – A national database of organizations that offer links to grants, crowdsourcing and other resources for those affected by the coronavirus, including a large section for artists. Information.
- Small Business Administration – There have been plenty of glitches but opportunities remain. Small businesses can apply for low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help overcome a loss in revenue. “No business is too small,” said Gil Goldberg, the director of the northern Ohio office of the Small Business Administration. Information.