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.
Impact Assessment
This is a CALL TO ACTION! By completing these surveys you will help us better understand the impact of the pandemic, which will in turn support our advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local level. Help us, help you!
Support
The arts sector has been hit hard by this global pandemic. The majority of local arts organizations are being forced to cancel their upcoming events and close their doors. In addition many arts professionals are now out of work. Several groups are working to provide relief funding. Please consider making a donation to help support these efforts.
FAQs
What is the current status of COVID-19 in the US?
updated 3/27/20 at 12:30 p.m.
The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
- March 11- the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.
- March 13- Trump declared a national emergency that could free up $50 billion to help fight the pandemic and said that he was empowering the secretary of Health and Human Services to waive certain laws and regulations to ensure the virus can be contained and patients treated.
- March 15- the CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommended that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States. On March 16, the White House further revised this to groups of no more than 10, and asked people to stay away from bars and restaurants.
- March 25- The White House and Senate leaders reached a deal early Wednesday morning on a massive stimulus package they hope will keep the nation from falling into a deep recession because of the coronavirus crisis. The revamped Senate proposal will inject approximately $2 trillion into the economy, providing tax rebates, four months expanded unemployment benefits and a slew of business tax-relief provisions aimed at shoring up individual, family and business finances.
- March 27- The House approved federal stimulus bill known at the CARES Act, and the President has signed it. See what is means for the arts here.
There are currently 85,356 confirmed cases in the US.
What is the current status of COVID-19 in North Carolina?
updated 3/27/20 at 12:30 p.m.
- March 10- Govenor Cooper declares a State of Emergency in North Carolina. Read More
- March 15- North Carolina’s K-12 public schools will close until April 6, effective March 16, per an executive order signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.The executive order also banned mass gatherings of over 100 across the state. This has now be extended until May 15 Read More
- March 17- Executive order includes expansion of the following unemployment benefits to help workers affected by COVID-19: (1) Removes the one-week waiting period to apply for benefits; (2) Removes the requirement that a person must look for another job during this time; and (3) Allows employees, who lost their jobs or who have had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 issues, to apply for unemployment benefits. Read More
- March 26- North Carolina Receives Federal Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Read More
- March 27- Governor Cooper Announces Statewide Stay at Home Order Until April 29 Read More
There are currently 763 confirmed cases in NC.
What is the current status of COVID-19 in Buncombe County?
updated 3/27/20 at 2:30 p.m.
Both City and County have declared a State of Emergency.
City Council voted 7-0 March 24 to give special powers to Mayor Esther Manheimer. The change allows a faster response to emergencies during the coronavirus pandemic, according to city legal staff.
Buncombe County has issued a “Stay Home – Stay Safe” Supplemental Declaration that goes into effect Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 8 p.m. The intent of this supplemental declaration is to further minimize all opportunities for exposure and transmission of COVID-19 across the jurisdiction. This declaration directs all Buncombe County residents to “Stay Home – Stay Safe” and to limit movements outside of their homes that are not deemed essential. This declaration is valid through Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 6 a.m., but will be regularly reviewed and evaluated which may lead to revision, amendment or extension. Read more
There are currently 17 confirmed case in BC.
For the latest updates, visit: https://www.buncombecounty.org/covid-19/
What safety measures should I be taking?
These simple steps can help you prepare your home, minimize your risk of exposure, and protect others from the Coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Medications: make sure you have enough medication, like blood pressure pills, to last for two weeks. Aside from prescriptions, make sure you have pain reliever (ibuprofen), stomach remedies, and cold and cough medicines.
- Masks: only wear a mask if you are sick or are caring for someone with COVID-19.
- Cleaning Supplies: plan on cleaning surfaces in your house that get touched frequently – such as kitchen counters and bathroom faucets – several times a day. Keep “high touch surfaces” in your house clean with household cleaning sprays or wipes.
- Wash Hands: as soon as you get home before touching common household surfaces. Scrub your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Hand Sanitizer: carry and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Flu Shot: if you haven’t already gotten your flu shot yet, it’s still a good idea to get one.
- Other: keep plenty of go-to food supplies on hand such as nonperishable foods and hydrating drinks, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte for kids.
Visit the Buncombe Ready page for more information about how to prepare.
What support resources are available?
We have added a list of support resources below and will continue to update this list as addtional information becomes available.
Questions? Email your questions to info@ashevillearts.com and we will do our best to get you answers.
Latest News
Resources
Reliable COVID-19 Updates
- For Buncombe County updates text BCALERT to 888-777 and/or visit bucombecounty.org/covid-19
- For North Carolina updates text COVIDNC to 898-211 and/or visit ncdhhs.gov
Emergency Assistance
NC 2-1-1 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. Accessible via an easy-to-remember, three-digit number, families and individuals can call to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources within their community. nc211.org
Mortgage/ Rent Assistance
- Be sure to talk to your bank or landlord and let them know your situation.
- The federal government is enacting up to 12 months of mortgage forbearance for borrowers who have Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other government-backed loans, which are the majority of residential loans. Read more
- A judicial order halting all non-essential court proceedings means evictions and foreclosures will be postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic Read More
- For immediate assistance, you can also apply for a grant through the One Buncombe fund. Learn More
Utilities
- At this time no local providers are disconnecting service for non-payment and many late fees have been waived. This list includes information from water, electric and gas, phone and internet services that have announced they will not disconnect service.
Taxes
- Both State and Federal taxes have been postponed until July 15 Read More
Unemployment
- The unemployment insurance system pays temporary assistance to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The maximum weekly benefit jobless workers in North Carolina can get is $350, and the average amount paid is $264 a week. On average, those eligible for benefits get unemployment checks for 8.6 weeks. Apply Here
- The CARES Act includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance be extended to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, those with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency. Learn More
- The CARES Act also provides an additional $600 per week payment to each recipient of unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for up to 4 months. In North Carolina, the maximum weekly benefit is $350 per week, meaning that unemployed NC workers would receive up to $950 in weekly benefits.
- Additionally, the CARES Act provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits through December 31, 2020 to help those who remain unemployed after weeks of state unemployment benefits are no longer available.
- For immediate assistance, individuals can also apply for a grant through the One Buncombe fund. Learn More
- Call or email NCWorks at 828-251-6200 ir NCWorks.1700@nccommerce.com to learn about job opportunities. Some ideas include: Grocery stores (Ingles & Trader Joes are hiring), landscaping, senior living facilities, census,…
Food
Medical
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever and cough or difficulty breathing), please call your healthcare provider for evaluation. If you do not have a healthcare provider, please call a local urgent care or Buncombe County Public Health at 828-250-5300. Please do not call 911 to request testing for COVID-19, and please do not go to the emergency department unless you are seriously ill and require emergency care.
- Mission is offering virtual care: Receive an online diagnosis and prescription (as needed) for your illness from the convenience of your home for $25. Learn More
- Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government. More Info
Small Business Financial Support
- Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Click here to apply.
- Mountain BizWorks is joining with partners from across the state to launch an innovative recovery resource – the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending Program. This program is being launched with an initial allocation of $15 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation to the NC Rural Center who is coordinating the multi-lender partnership.
- Small businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be eligible for low interest loans up to $10,000 mith no payments due for up to 6 months through the One Buncombe fund. Loans will be designed to provide low-cost “bridge funding” to help businesses stay open and limit job losses until businesses can qualify for longer term disaster funding from SBA or others. Learn More
Other Help
- If you have the ability to offer gift cards, consider joining #AshevilleStrong appeal. Learn More
- Individuals and small businesses should also look at the One Bucombe releif fund grant/ loan opportunites. Learn More
- If you have created an online event and/or are selling goods or services online, let us know and we will share it on our website.
How Can You Help?
- Visit Hands On Asheville Buncombe for a list of ways that you can help. Learn More
- There is also an effort to make face masks for first line responders and vulnerable populations. Learn More
Relief Funds
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 …
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.
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…
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…
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants
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.
Guidance for Arts Professionals & Organizations
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…
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.
