COVID-19 Updates

The Asheville Area Arts Council continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. We will do our best to provide you with the latest news and resources.

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Relief Resources

Congress Passes BILLIONS in Arts Relief: More PPP and Unemployment, Grants for Performing Arts Venues and Organizations, Museums and Cinemas
Learn more about the Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (Save Our Stages)- $15 Billion through SBA
Mountain BizWorks Logo
COVID-19 Funding Help Center | Mountain BizWorks
Find what you need to navigate your small business through this unprecedented time. We’re here for you - we want to help you keep your dreams alive.
Coronavirus Resource Guide - Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
As our community responds to COVID-19, our staff are monitoring the situation and working to bring you information and resources. Please watch this page for news updates and emerging resources.
One Buncombe
One Buncombe Fund - Mountain BizWorks
The One Buncombe Grant Fund helps small for-profit businesses reopen and rehire staff through grants. Please note that funds are limited and not all who apply will be awarded. The eligible grant amount will be based on firm size:
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic.
Paycheck Protection Program
An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
SBA Express Bridge Loans
Enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

Latest News

COVID job loss: Asheville worse than Greenville, says budget analyst
While Asheville area workers are still reeling from shutdowns and other economic effects of the pandemic, those across the state line are facing a much sunnier scenario, including a full recovery and job gains, Buncombe County budget staff said in a Jan. 19 report detailing employment trends.
Living wage in Buncombe County jumps to more than $17 an hour
The cost to live in Asheville will be significantly higher in 2021, according to new data from Just Economics. Caption: WLOS. Vicki Meath, the executive director of Just Economics, said if you were making the living wage in 2020 you’re now going to have to make almost $2 an hour more to make e…
Arts workers are building a labor movement to save a creative economy in peril
New groups such as Be an #ArtsHero take their agendas for aid and recognition to Congress.

 

ANALYSIS: COVID-19’s Impacts on Arts and Culture
This week’s analysis is the product of close collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Argonne National Laboratory. It provides an initial overview of some of these impacts, with a particular focus on the performing arts. It also explores some of the adaptations and resources that are helping arts organizations and artists to survive financially during the pandemic.
Six Stories From a Downtown District Show Pandemic’s Uneven Toll
A stretch of downtown Asheville, N.C., shows how the coronavirus pandemic slammed small businesses while a federal loan program helped some stay afloat.
With No Tickets to Sell, Arts Groups Appeal to Donors to Survive
Virtual cocktail parties have replaced black-tie galas as cultural institutions struggle to pay their operating costs.
A ‘Great Cultural Depression’ Looms for Legions of Unemployed Performers
With theaters and concert halls shuttered, unemployment in the arts has cut deeper than in restaurants and other hard-hit industries.
What A Biden Presidency Means For The Arts
What arts and culture policies will the Biden/Harris administration pursue in 2021 and beyond? The arts have taken a beating this year, but fresh thinking in government and the private sector reveal opportunities for a new beginning.

COVID Resources

Reliable COVID-19 Updates

Buncombe Ready: COVID-19 Coronavirus Information and Preparedness
Buncombe County has been monitoring COVID-19 since it was first announced as a potential threat. The health and safety of our community is our highest priority.
NC Department of Health & Human Services
NC Department of Health & Human Services
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response in North Carolina
CDC logo
Center for Disease Control and Prevent
Learn how CDC is aggressively responding to the global outbreak of COVID-19 and preparing for the potential of community spread in the U.S.
World Health Organization
WHO will continue to work with all countries, our partners and expert networks to coordinate the international response, develop guidance, distribute supplies, share knowledge and provide people with the information they need to protect themselves and others.

Other Relief Funds

Asheville Musicians Support Collective - Ingles Gift Card Program
Asheville Downtown Association Foundation, Asheville Music Professionals, and Ingles have partnered together to provide gift cards for Ingles Supermarket.
Craft Futures Fund
The Craft Futures Fund will support craft communities throughout the United States and their creative responses to COVID-19. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that seed resilience, foster community, and amplify impact.
Artist Relief
The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories.
CARES Act Guidelines: Grant Program Description
The National Endowment for the Arts announced today its guidelines to swiftly distribute funding to nonprofit arts organizations from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to preserve jobs and help support organizations forced to close operations due to the spread of COVID-19.
One Buncombe
The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories.
#AshevilleStrong
#AshevilleStrong is a movement to buy local gift cards now in Asheville and WNC.
Please help us spread the word and support the businesses you love by purchasing a gift card and sharing the movement on social media.
Musician Relief Fund – IamAvl
We at IamAvl have always prided ourselves on being a tool for artists to gain further exposure, and play what part we can to help push them to the next level in their careers. Now, with gigs, festivals and events being cancelled, the music making community needs your support more than ever. If you a…
Artist Support Pledge
Emerging Artists Are Pledging to Support One Another During the Health Crisis by Buying Each Other’s Work Through Instagram
The Actors Fund
We provide free and confidential assistance nationally to everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment—including actors, dancers, musicians, stagehands, playwrights and many more. Whether you work on stage or on camera, behind the scenes or below the line, you can contact The Actors Fund …
CERF+ Responds to Coronavirus (COVID-19) - CERF+
Like many of you, we have been carefully monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and are making adjustments in our daily lives to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from the virus. Our thoughts are with the artist community, many of whom are dealing with canceled shows, exhibitions, and …
Gig Workers Rising
Gig workers are experiencing enormous fear and stress around COVID-19 and what it means for our health, well-being, and finances.
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.
Freelancer COVID-19 Emergency Fund
We will be funding creative freelancers who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus and resulting public response.
Freelancers Relief Fund
This is a frightening time. As cities and states are shutting down events and nonessential businesses in the attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19,
industries across the U.S. have suffered or ground to a halt. We’ve heard from thousands of members who have lost jobs this month and are
concerned a…
Joan Mitchell Foundation Emergency Grants
Disasters are unpredictable, and the impact on an artist’s life and work can be devastating. To help artists get back to work, the Joan Mitchell Foundation provides grants of up to $6,000 to US-based visual artists who have suffered significant physical losses after natural or man-made disasters.
Musicians Foundation
Eligibility To qualify for aid from the Musicians Foundation, you must meet the following conditions: You (or the person for whom you are applying) must be a musician of any genre in a time of acute need, due to personal, medical, dental, or family crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency situat…
COVID-19 Relief Funds for Artists & the Arts
This list will be continuously updated as this crisis continues.
North Carolina Arts Council
The Arts in North Carolina and COVID-19
The Arts in North Carolina and COVID-19. COVID-19 Resources for artists and arts organizations.

Guidance for Arts Professionals & Organizations

Upcoming Webinars + Business Resources
Here is a list of upcoming webinars and resource organizations to help you navigate all the new and complex information for you and your business.
Coronavirus Resource Guide - Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
As our community responds to COVID-19, our staff are monitoring the situation and working to bring you information and resources. Please watch this page for news updates and emerging resources.
COVID-19 | Asheville Grown Business Alliance
Supporting local businesses and workers is one thing each of us can do right now. We’ve set up this page with resources, key information, creative initiatives and contacts.
COVID-19 Resources – Arts North Carolina
A vibrant North Carolina where the arts are embraced by all as indispensable.
Why the Arts Matter | Arts ActionFund
Simply put, the arts are essential to the proper functioning of our society. The arts continue to demonstrate their ability to provide categorical evidence of their impact on social issues that concern virtually every facet of American society.

 

COVID-19 Small Business/Nonprofit Initiative - North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center
The North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center’s (PBRC) COVID-19 Small Business/Nonprofit Initiative (the Initiative) will offer pro bono legal consultations to small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 25 employees. These consultations will help small businesses and nonprofits with COVID-19 lega…
Americans for the Arts: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
Up-to-date news and resources for the arts and culture field
American Alliance of Museums
Introduction With the growing spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the United States, museums must be well prepared for potential outbreaks as public spaces, employers for over 726,000 individuals, …
ArtsReady
Create your arts organization’s business continuity plan, because the unexpected, won’t-happen-to-me, I-don’t-want-to-think-about-it actually does happen.
COVID-19 & Freelance Artists
This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community.
Cuseum
Cuseum: Coronavirus Resources
As coronavirus continues to spread rapidly and affect museums, cultural organizations, attractions, performing arts centers, universities, and more, it is imperative to stay prepared. To help organizations take measures to reduce the spread of the virus and support their communities, we have compiled a variety of resources to assist in planning, strategy, and adapting to change.
Response to Coronavirus for Performing Arts Organizations
Lawyers for the Creative Arts has received a number of inquiries from performing arts organizations and individual artists related to best practices in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This list includes various sources dealing with this, or similar, health-related business issues. Reviewing th…
NATIONAL COALITION FOR ARTS' PREPAREDNESS & EMERGENCY RESPONSE
NCAPER is here to help you by fostering relationships with providers in the emergency services sector.
Nonprofit Pandemic Resources
As we continue to learn more about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it’s impacting communities across the country and around the world, the Center is here to support nonprofits with updates and resources to help you take steps to safeguard your employees, operations, and NC communities. If you know of or have a resource to share, please let us know.
NAMI Updates on the Coronavirus | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
Considering the news regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), here are the tips and practices NAMI recommends.
Supporting Artists with Families in Our COVID-19 Plans | PAAL
As COVID-19 achieves official pandemic status, organizations are scrambling to gather their options, assess cancelations, and gamble with art. To assist in ensuring that artists with families are s…
Performing Arts Readiness
Performing arts organizations are especially vulnerable to disasters and emergencies, which can damage an organization’s business operations and artistic legacy.
Society of Human Resources Management: Coronavirus and COVID-19
Communicable diseases like coronavirus and the flu can bring a busy workforce to a standstill. Here are ways to prepare your workforce for the outcomes of a disease outbreak.
WNC Nonprofit Pathways: Coronavirus Resources
We will regularly update this page with information and resources for nonprofits to help navigate the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work During the COVID-19 Outbreak
If your nonprofit can operate in this COVID-19 outbreak with its staff members all working remotely from home, we hope you find these resources useful.