MIF have put together this evolving list of resources for the creative community who might be looking for support, guidance or advice as a result of the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.
This is by no means comprehensive, so we've made this an open document so you can share resources that you find with anyone who needs it.
Official Advice
Bectu
Equity
Creative Scotland
Arts Council – latest info in this reassuring Twitter thread
Independent Theatre Council
HMRC Covid-19 help line for self-employed and businesses: 0300 456 3565
MIND has some really helpful guidelines for looking after your mental health during coronavirus
ACAS: an independent organisation that gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.
Online networking and resource sharing
Mutual Aid Community Facebook Groups
Theatre Industry Corona Virus Facebook Group
Anti-viral work for freelancers and small businesses
So&So Arts Club has started the Twitter hashtag #artistshotline for mutual artists’ advice, support and opportunities
To join a WhatsApp support/idea-sharing group for PR people in the performing arts, message @NileBackwards on Twitter
Theatre producers are connecting on Twitter using #axisonline
Seb's Art List has also launched a platform containing information and resources for those impacted by coronavirus in the London arts community, including a list of open calls, health tips and links for work and workers.
This Virtual Music Directory offers advice on how to live-stream music events an has live calendar of live music streamed events to watch
Free digital advisory sessions for artists from Artsadmin
Financial guidance
Producer Ruby Glaskin’s spreadsheet helps you do a simple risk assessment on your freelance income
Employment and Support Allowance can be claimed by eligible freelancers from first day of illness.
Universal Credit is suspending the minimum income floor; you don’t have to go into a job centre.
There’s a dedicated HMRC helpline for freelancers and businesses who are worried about paying their tax
Details of coronavirus assistance provided in new budget
Citizens Advice
The Music Venue Trust is offering live advice for Grassroots Music Venues to try and sustain them through the impacts of COVID-19
Campaigns
Petition: Include self-employed in statutory sick pay
Petition to the British Government to offer economic assistance to the events industry
Petition: Introduce a temporary universal basic income for freelancers
This spreadsheet of Lost Earnings of Arts Freelancers due to COVID-19 is trying to keep a log of all of the changes affecting arts freelancers month-by-month, to show the impact COVID-19 has on livelihoods
Charities/fundraisers/grants/income
The Artist General Benevolent Fund financially supports professional artists in need and their dependents living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland who cannot work or earn due to accident, illness or older age.
Film and Television Charity offer advice and one off grants for urgent and immediate financial assistance for those in the film, TV and cinema industry
Equity Charitable Trust, Educational grants for professional performers to retrain and re-qualify in a different field, alongside one-off welfare grants for those who find themselves in critical need
Help for Musicians, Offering musicians Health and Welfare grants, Creative development grants - plus help for those with long-term illness
Live Events PSA Stagehand Welfare and Benevolent Fund, small grants to help tide people over or retrain for those who work in the live event production industry
Actors Benevolent Fund for professional actors, actresses and stage managers Financial assistance for those unable to work due to injury, illness or old age with household expenses, including a regular weekly payment and contributions towards bills and sometimes assistance with one off payments for items such as disability aids or kitchen appliances
Turbine Theatre is running online fundraiser Funds for Freelancers
Frazer Brown is matching donations on stagily-named arts fundraiser Last Year’s Rent
More creative nomenclature at Scottish artists’ fundraiser Wan Mair Tune Fund
Wales Arts Review is fundraising for emergency bursaries
Bryony Kimmings is matching established artists to emerging artists who are struggling financially
SOLT has set up a microsite for affected performers with links to charities and other bodies who can help
The Manchester Artists Coronavirus Hardship Fund been set up here
Superbia offer grants of up to £1000 fro LGBTQ artists in Manchester
Swoop: simplifies and speeds up access to loans, grants and equity funding for business in the UK and Ireland
Facebook $100M in cash grants and advert credits: facebook.com/business/boost/grants
The Martin Lewis Fund is providing grants of £5,000 to £20,000 to small registered charities, or local arms of bigger charities, across the UK
Prince’s Trust Grants for those aged 16 - 30 Studying less that 14 hours a week, unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week for course fees, tools, equipment or uniforms for a job or qualification, job licence fees and transport to a new job until your first pay slip
Royal Variety Charity for all people that have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, financial assistance, plus residential and care home
Axis Web 50 x £100 awards for members that are facing significant financial hardship and who are unable to work, disabled, a carer, on low income or freelance
PRS Member’s Fund Provide support and advice to PRS members (7 years or £500 of royalties) and their families, who may be struggling financially, physically or emotionally and are in need of help.
Dance fund: Financial grants to dance professionals of all ages
Disability Arts Online has announced a new commissions pot for disabled artists as well as a range of other paid opportunities and resources.
Social and creative networking
Online Queer Party every night of the quarantine 21:00 - 00:00 - Club Q
The Social Distancing Festival is an online artist’s community made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by the need for social distancing
Big Kitchen Disco - every night at 19:00 GMT https://twitter.com/bigkitchendisco
Clubcommission Berlin and Reclaim Club Culture have launched the world's "biggest digital club". Different venues around the city host the stream, starting at 7 PM each night. As well as DJ sets and live performances, there are discussions, presentations and films related to club culture. Viewers are
asked for voluntary donations, which will go towards supporting the roughly 9000 nightlife employees currently left with little or no work. Head to the website for more info.
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