COVID-19

WEBINARS, DISCUSSIONS, & RECORDINGS

NYSCA PRESENTS webinar recording available: “The Role of the Excelsior Pass in the Reopening of the Arts.” Presented in partnership with Empire State Development (ESD), the webinar reviews the New York Forward Rapid Test Program and explore how individuals, businesses, and venues can integrate the Excelsior Pass into their programming and daily lives. 

Webinar recording and slides now available for the Central New York Community Foundation's presentation of Braving the Uncertainty of COVID-19: Where Do Nonprofits Go From Here? held on March 26, 2021.

COVID-19 has disrupted the nonprofit world, causing temporary and permanent changes to organizational frameworks. How do nonprofits fulfill their missions with the utmost urgency and also assess the long-term impacts of the pandemic?

The Central New York Community Foundation invites you to hear from Jeremy Tennenbaum, CFA, a senior nonprofit strategist at Vanguard. Jeremy is an expert on a wide range of issues affecting nonprofit organizations, and he covered:

·        How COVID-19 is Currently Affecting Nonprofits
·        Understanding and Communicating Financial Position
·        Crisis Management
·        Long-Term Strategic Planning for the Future of Your Nonprofit 

FOCUS Greater Syracuse Forums recordings: Access previous FOCUS forums including Higher Education in a Time of COVID and FOCUS Forum on K-12 Education,  Arts Adapt in a Time of COVID, Mental Health in a Time of COVID - Meeting the Moment; Funding Change in a Time of COVID, Isolation Under COVID, and more are available for viewing at www.focussyracuse.org/focus-forums

A NYSCA PRESENTS webinar:  PPP and SOS Opportunities and Considerations is now available on the NYSCA Presents website- Presented in partnership with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), Andrew Marietta, NYCON's VP of Regional Development, reviews the Payment Protection Program (PPP) and Shuttered Venue Operator (SOS) Program. Topics include eligibility, criteria, and helping to identify which opportunities are the best fit for your organization. This webinar is free and open to the public. The webinar has been developed for New York State arts organizations of all sizes.

NYSCA Presents offers free webinars for cultural workers, artists and creatives. Current recorded webinars: Guiding Board Members and Continuing Your Mission During COVID and Beyond, Moving your Content into the Digital World: Legal Guide for Individual Artists and Arts Organizations, Arts Online: COVID Communications and Beyond, and Debunking the Top 5 Fundraising Myths in the Time of COVID-19

The Arts Center at Purchase College, recorded presentations of The PAC in Your Living Room virtual coffee hour are available online, including the following webinars and more:

• Artists and Presenters in the Virtual Classroom: Working with Schools in the Time of COVID-19, 
• The Role of the Agent in the Time of COVID-19
• Building the Future Now
• Necessity is the Mother of Invention: Success in Presenting the Performing Arts Online
• Funding for the Performing Arts: Surveying the Regional Landscape in the Time of Social Distancing
• Keep the Arts Thriving: How Can Artists, Agents, and Institutions Work Together in Revenue-Free Models During This Time of Social Distancing (text summary)

Bond, Schoeneck and King offers recorded and weekly webinars on a variety of COVID-19 related topics for businesses, such as reopening, best practices, liability, employment law, and more.

 Unemployment Relief: Interested in how the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 will affect Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Insurance? Here's an article by the National Law Review outlining the updates: Unemployment Relief in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021.

REOPENING RESOURCES

NYSCA offers a Reopening and Recovery resource page featuring NYS and federal guideline links plus a variety of alliance and consortium industry guideline resources. NYSCA's website also includes a NYSArts Now Reopening page with a list of NYS cultural organization venues now open or opening soon. 

New York Forward  To view active guidelines, click here.

Arts, culture and heritage agencies and groups that are planning events and activities should refer to industry-specific public health and safety guidelines, an affirmation form and business safety plan. 

NYSCA offers a Reopening and Recovery resource page featuring NYS and federal guideline links plus  a variety of alliance and consortium industry guideline resources. 

NYS offers the Find a Test Site Near You tool, an online resource to find a free COVID-19 testing site. The site also states that:   "Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov."

Onondaga County Economic Development Office:

economicdevelopment@ongov.net (315.435.3770) - General #

reopen@ongov.net (315.435.2210) # for reopening questions

Economic Development Office Reopen
https://www.ongoved.com/reopen-a-business/

Guide to Reopening Theatrical Venues (2nd draft edition), by the Performing Arts Center Consortium Advisory Committee on Reopening

CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes

Empire State Development FAQ on Business Forward and Business Reopening

Centerstate CEO free webinar series - Keeping Workers Safe as Businesses Re-open:  Lessons from the Front Lines

Centerstate CEO Back to Business Re-Opening Toolkit

Artist Funding

Actor's Fund:  To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years (2015-2020). Income from teaching does not qualify. Dancers, comedians and comedy professionals must document three years of recent earnings of at least $2,000 a year

2020-21 News Archives

 **EIDL Program Update Webinar** Thursday, Sept. 16, 10 am - 11 am EDT Register here

On September 9, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.

The SBA Upstate New York District Office will lead a webinar providing an overview of the changes to the COVID EIDL program, instructions for how to apply, and resources for applicants. There will also be an opportunity for participants to ask question

A reminder that the deadline to apply for NYSCA Round 3 Opportunities is this Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 4PM for Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and Recovery Grants.

Important Notes from NYSCA: 

• FAQ for Applicants has been updated.
• Organizations can apply for both Support for Organizations and Recovery Grants.
• Performance is not required for eligibility (all types of arts organizations can apply).
• Recipients of RestartNY: Rapid Live Performance grants ARE eligible for all Round 3 FY2022 opportunities.
• Applicants must be Prequalified in the Grants Gateway by the application deadline.
• There is no minimum budget size to apply for Recovery Grants. Applying does not exclude your organization from applying for or receiving additional funding. 
• Instructions for how to demonstrate revenue loss for the FY2022 Recovery grant application have been updated.
  
• Application questions? Review the New York State Council On The Arts (NYSCA) FY2022 Technical Application Submission Instructions.
• Contact the NYSCA Team at least 2 weeks prior to the application deadline with any questions. Also see NYSCA's recorded webinars on Recovery grants and other FY2022 funding.

From SBA: Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Update - New Shuttered Venue Operators Grant applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 20, 2021. Later in August, SBA will open the program for supplemental SVOGs for 50% of the original award amount, capped at a total of $10 million (initial and supplemental combined). Details will be announced at a later date.

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 9 am-1 pm:  Small Business Recovery Virtual Conference for NYS Small Business Owners - presented by Staten Island Small Business Development Center & Tekie Geek - Two panel discussions covering sales & marketing strategies and employee recruitment/retention, plus multiple networking opportunities.

SVOG Priority Awards. The SBA website modified its original preliminary guidelines to be more in line with the Congressional intent of the newly passed law. SBA is no longer limiting the first two priority distributions to shuttered venues with only 50 employees or fewer. While there is still a set aside of $2 billion for this category of small venues, the early distribution awards are for any size organization with 90 or 70 percent revenue loss (still not clear if this is gross or earned revenue). 

SVOG Eligibility Update:

According to SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant FAQ updated March 22, 2021, (excerpt below), organizations can now apply for both PPP and SVOG grants but can't apply for the PPP after they receive SVOG.

"4. Is an entity that applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program loan in July 2020 eligible to apply for an SVOG?
Yes, if an entity applied and was approved for a PPP loan prior to Dec. 27, 2020, it is eligible to apply for an SVOG."

"5. Is an entity that applied for a First Draw or Second Draw PPP loan on or after Dec. 27, 2020, eligible to apply for an SVOG?
Yes. While entities originally were prohibited from receiving both forms of SBA assistance, the American Rescue Plan Act, which became law on March 11, 2021, removed this restriction. However, under the law, entities will be ineligible for a PPP loan AFTER they receive an SVOG."

PPP Update from the Small Business Administration: PPP General Funding Exhausted, CFI Funding Still Available 
After more than a year of operation and serving more than eight million small businesses, funding for the Paycheck Protection Program has been exhausted. The SBA will continue funding outstanding approved PPP applications, but new qualifying applications will only be funded through Community Financial Institutions, financial lenders who serve underserved communities. The SBA is committed to delivering economic aid through the many COVID relief programs it is currently administering and beyond.

• Community Financial Development Institution (CDFI)
• Minority Depository Institution (MDI)
• Community Development Corporation (CDC)
• Microlender Intermediary

July 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m. EST: Small Business Administration and Public Private Strategies Institute Webinar - Getting Back on track: Help is Here - SBA programs; federal policies update; Q&A with experts; Becoming a vaccine leader; Tools/resources for taking your business digital

On June 3, 12 noon to 1:30 pm, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce presents: Small Business Survival, Through the Pandemic and Beyond - Join a panel of experts collaborating to share their insights on strategies to help ensure the survival of your small business. Offered in person at Thincubator in Utica, NY and virtually via MaxUC ($10 Members; $20 Non-Members)June 3, 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m.: Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce presents: Small Business Survival (New) 

Join a panel of experts collaborating to share their insights on strategies to help ensure the survival of your small business. Many have been able to navigate the challenges brought forth by the pandemic. We will be joined by experienced professionals in accounting, risk management, inventory control, and sales. After a 45 minute panel discussion, participants will have an opportunity for Q &A. Attend either in-person at ThINCubator, or virtually via MaxUC by Northland. Choose to add lunch if desired. Registration ends Tuesday, June 1st. 

Details/Register

 NYFA has announced these grant opportunities for NYS artists:

The JGS Fellowship for Photography
Applications close June 30 at 5:00 PM EDT
JGS Fellowship for Photography will award $7,000 to five artists working in traditional and/or experimental photography. 

Canadian Women Artists’ Award
Applications close June 9 at 5:00 PM EDT
The Canadian Women Artists’ Award provides $5,000 financial support to an emerging or early career artist working in visual arts, media & design and literary arts. In 2021 NYFA will be awarding two $5,000 awards. To apply, applicants must be female Canadian citizens between the ages of 25 and 40 who are living and working in New York state. Students in bachelor’s or master’s degree programs are welcome to apply.

A message from the Museum Association of New York:  MANY has been working with legislators to help increase museum capacity. [On Monday, April 19], the Governor announced that starting Monday, April 26, museums and zoos can increase their capacity to 50%.

ARTS VENUES REOPENING NEWS from NYSCA March 3, 2021:  Event, Arts and Entertainment Venues are permitted to begin reopening April 2nd, 2021 at 33% capacity with proper safety protocols. The Governor announced today that up to 100 people will be allowed indoors and up to 200 people will be permitted in outdoor venues. Capacities for venues can increase with attendee testing, including up to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

All reopening guidelines and related news will be made available on the New York Forward website

 Tuesday, March 23, 3 pm, The National Endowment for the Arts presents a free webinar, The Art of Reopening - A Virtual Conversation on Reengaging Arts Audiences in Physical Spaces

ARTS VENUES REOPENING NEWS from NYSCA March 3, 2021:  Event, Arts and Entertainment Venues are permitted to begin reopening April 2nd, 2021 at 33% capacity with proper safety protocols. The Governor announced today that up to 100 people will be allowed indoors and up to 200 people will be permitted in outdoor venues. Capacities for venues can increase with attendee testing, including up to 150 people indoors and 500 people outdoors.

All reopening guidelines and related news will be made available on the New York Forward website

New York Forward - Phase 4 information
To view full guidelines, click here.

Arts, culture and heritage agencies and groups that are planning events and activities should refer to the New York Forward Business Reopening LookUp tool for guidance on eligibility to reopen, restrictions, industry-specific public health and safety guidelines, an affirmation form and business safety plan. 

Low risk outdoor includes outdoor zoos, botanical gardens, nature parks, grounds of historic sites and cultural institutions, outdoor museums, outdoor agritourism, local agricultural demonstrations and exhibitions; and other similar institutions/activities.

Low risk indoor includes indoor museums, historical sites, aquariums and other related institutions

Agencies that these guidelines apply to must go to the link and view the summary guidelines, read and affirm the guidelines and then prepare a safety plan that they will keep at their place of business.

Arts, culture and heritage agencies and groups that are planning events and activities should refer to the New York Forward Business Reopening LookUp tool for guidance on eligibility to reopen, restrictions, industry-specific public health and safety guidelines, an affirmation form and business safety plan. 

 Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants
Cycle 7 closes May 3 at 11:59 PM EDT
The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies experienced by artists in the past six months.

SECOND DRAW PAYCHECK PROTECTION LOANS

A new round of Paycheck Protection Loans has been announced. The Small Business Administration has opened the Paycheck Protection Loan Portal for Community Financial Institutions* as of 1/11/21, for First Draw PPP Loan Applications. (The Second Draw application portal for CFIs opened 1/13/21 and applications for other financial institutions will open soon.) 

Please note:  According to the Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loans Overview, Second Draw PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations. Also, according to current information, an applicant for the Second Draw PPP loan who received a First Draw PPP loan should have used all of their first draw loan, on eligible expenses. Please consult SBA, your lender, accountants, etc. on how this applies to your situation.

Please also see, from the SBA: 

Top-line Overview of First Draw PPP (sba.gov)
Top-line Overview of Second Draw PPP (sba.gov)

PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns

*Information from SBA on PPP lenders: Per the Economic Aid Act, a Community Financial Institution (CFI) is one of four types of lenders. 

Types of CFI Lenders:

Community Financial Development Institution (CDFI)
Minority Depository Institution (MDI)
SBA Certified Development Company (CDC)
SBA Microloan Intermediary Lender

A list of participating PPP lenders: Paycheck Protection Program - Participating Lenders (sba.gov)
SBA Microlenders: List of lenders (sba.gov)
SBA Certified Development Companies: Small Business Administration (sba.gov)

PPP and Tax Relief Provisions for Employers: Information by the National Law Review about second PPP Loan eligibility, changes in loan forgiveness, covered costs, loan amount flexibility, plus details on tax treatment of covered PPP loans, deferred payroll taxes, credits for Paid Leave and Family Sick Leave, and more.

**Americans for the Arts has more updated information about PPP forgiveness forms, EIDL advances and more at www.ArtsActionFund.org/COVID19Resources, and on its COVID 19 Arts Resources Table. 

• What steps you can take now to take advantage of this special opportunity, which closes at 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, March 9, 2021
• Additional changes and recent policy announcements made by the Biden-Harris Administration
• Have your questions answered by SBA Leadership
  
  SCHEDULE:
• Mar. 3, 12:30 p.m. ET, Women Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 4, 3:00 p.m. ET, Asian-American + Pacific Islander, Native American + Tribal Small Business Owners; Click here to register.
• Mar. 5, 1:00 p.m. ET, Black + African-American Small Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 5, 3:00 p.m. ET, Hispanic Small Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 6, 2:00 p.m. ET, Veterans, Self-Employed Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 8, 3:00 p.m. ET, LGTBQ Business Owners, Youth Entrepreneurs, Restaurant Owners, Click here to register.

  ---

Earlville Opera House and Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts partner with New York State Council on the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts to present two FREE virtual seminars:

April 15, 2-3pm
For Arts Administrators - “Arts Advocacy at a Time Like No Other”
A panel presentation by: Stephen Butler, Executive Director, CNY Arts, Syracuse, NY and Sharon Louden, Artist, Educator, Editor, Artist Advocate, Philadelphia, PA
A discussion on the arts as an economic driver and how our industry can use this current time to reinforce our impact. Q&A following.

April 22, 12-1pm
For Artists -  A Brown Bag Lunch - “Artist Resources”
A presentation by NYFA, EOH and Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts on artist resources including grants and residency opportunities.  Q&A following.

REGISTER by emailing info@earlvilleoperahouse.com
Indicate which webinar(s) you are interested in and a zoom link will be provided.

April 15, (2 pm EDT/11 am PST) - ArtsReach Webinar: Transitioning To Hybrid: Best Practices Combining Virtual And Live Events - This session will discuss best practices in delivering virtual presentations in tandem with live events. Technology and pricing remain front and center in successfully welcoming audiences back to venues while maintaining a strong virtual connection to those not yet ready for the return journey (note - New Ways Forward membership required)

 Monday, March 22, 2-3pm:  NYS Large Gathering Guidance, What Your Business Needs to Know - a free virtual presentation open to the community - Join CenterState CEO and Empire State Development (ESD) for a presentation on state guidelines associated with large gatherings. Dan Kolinski, deputy director for ESD’s Central New York region, will provide an overview of the new state regulations that increase capacity for social gatherings in public spaces from 50 to 100 people indoors, and 200 people outdoors, as of March 22, 2021.

Topics covered will also include rules or live sports and entertainment venues, and details on the state's proposed Excelsior Pass, which would confirm a person's vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test. You will have an opportunity to share your questions on these topics upon registering.

• What steps you can take now to take advantage of this special opportunity, which closes at 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, March 9, 2021
• Additional changes and recent policy announcements made by the Biden-Harris Administration
• Have your questions answered by SBA Leadership
  
  SCHEDULE:
• Mar. 3, 12:30 p.m. ET, Women Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 4, 3:00 p.m. ET, Asian-American + Pacific Islander, Native American + Tribal Small Business Owners; Click here to register.
• Mar. 5, 1:00 p.m. ET, Black + African-American Small Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 5, 3:00 p.m. ET, Hispanic Small Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 6, 2:00 p.m. ET, Veterans, Self-Employed Business Owners, Click here to register.
• Mar. 8, 3:00 p.m. ET, LGTBQ Business Owners, Youth Entrepreneurs, Restaurant Owners, Click here to register.

Help Locating NYS Services: NYS recently launched the "Find Services" web application, developed in partnership with Google.org, to assist New Yorkers in locating appropriate services with one streamlined web application. This can be helpful for those whose income has been affected by COVID-19 as well as those in need for other reasons.

Paycheck Protection Program Opens Window for Exclusive Access for Smallest Businesses, and more changes . . .

On Monday, February 22, 2021 The White House and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which are aimed at helping the smallest businesses and those that have been left behind in previous relief efforts. The official SBA press release can be found here. 

Start the process with SBA and find forms and more information here

FACT SHEET: Changes to PPP to further promote equitable access to Relief

Small businesses, nonprofits and residential landlords that received Paycheck Protection Program amounts of $50,000 or less may now be eligible for a low-interest loan from New York Forward Loan Fund to support reopening (not a forgiveable loan). 

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Information Sheet

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness FAQ's (courtesy of Americans for the Arts website)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application

The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, signed into law on 6/5/20, provides borrowers more flexibility for loan forgiveness. The loan covered period was extended from 8 weeks to 24 weeks.

Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD) CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund Opens: The CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund is a new economic recovery loan program designed to alleviate sudden and severe economic dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund provides low interest loans (up to $200,000) to coronavirus-impacted small businesses in Montgomery, Fulton, Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego and Schoharie counties.

The Americans for the Arts Action Fund shared the following news:

On June 8, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced the expansion of the Mainstreet Lending Program to small and medium-size businesses. While these types of loans are not the forgivable type and were previously only available to major corporations, the terms may be attractive and provide much more flexibility for use of funds. $75 billion is being made available for these loans through the CARES Act.