Opportunities

RESOURCES DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

These are difficult times for everyone. There are many ways support is being coordinated at all levels. In this section, we will pass along resources at the local, regional, state, and national level for financial assistance. Our goal is to support and help you, the art leaders of Boulder, sustain your workforce and your business through this crisis.

The most comprehensive list can be found on the Colorado Creative Industries website.

For Nonprofits

  • Join our <Virtual> Cultural Organizations Summit on Tuesday, June 30 from 12 to 1:00 p.m. At this <Virtual> Summit, Employment Attorney Kathleen Alt, partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, will discuss the legal considerations of re-opening your arts organization. In light of the COVID pandemic, keeping your workforce safe and your audience protected are of the first priority. Also on your list are concerns about your liability: what is your organization’s responsibility and risk when you do open back up to a world with new expectations? Join your fellow Boulder arts administrators for an informative afternoon of discussion. Directors, staff, and board members of cultural organizations are welcome to attend. All cultural organizations are encouraged to send two representatives. Free. RSVP required to Lauren Click, clickl@boulderlibrary.org.
  • The Bonfils Stanton Foundation and The Denver Foundation have teamed up with funders in the seven county Denver metropolitan region to establish the COVID-19 Arts and Culture Relief Fund. Grants of $5,000 – $50,000 will help ensure organizations are able to maintain staff, artist engagement, and minimal operations while planning for future sustainability. Deadline June 26.
  • As venues, businesses, and events begin to reopen under the Safer at Home and upcoming Protect Our Neighbors rules, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce has posted a number of resources including downloadable posters about rules for customers and a sample script to help your audience with mask regulations.
  • Colorado Humanities is directing funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, through the National Endowment for the Humanities, to meet the emergency needs of organizations and individuals. Eligible individuals and organizations must demonstrate a track record for providing rich and engaging public humanities work that is accessible to the people of Colorado. Eligible individuals may be awarded up to $5,000 in grant funding. Eligible organizations may be awarded up to $15,000 in grant funding.
  • The PPP loan program has been expanded with more flexibility. The deadline to apply remains June 30, 2020.
  • Also, the Federal Reserve has expanded the Mainstreet Lending Program to small and medium-size businesses. These are not forgivable loans, but have attractive terms and flexibility that has previously only been available to large corporations.
  • The Wallace Foundation has published an analysis of the CARES Act by Education Counsel, including information about Federal funding for after school and summer programs.
  • The Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Action Fund is maintaining an updated table of programs to track the changing situation with the CARES Act.
  • Colorado Creative Industries has updated their COVID-19 response programs, including new deadlines and funding for things like the CO CARES Grant, CO Creatives Relief Grant, and more. Check their COVID-19 resources website to check in on these and other resources across the state.
  • The Boulder Library is now offering remote access to the Colorado Grants Guide, an online tool for grant funding research. Use your library card to access it today.
  • Federal support is being made available to nonprofits through loans, unemployment, and other programs. The Boulder Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is providing a list of resources on their website. Nonprofits and small business owners are encouraged to consult with the SBDC for guidance on these programs. Visit bouldersbdc.com and select Consulting on the top menu. 
  • National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness Response (NCAPER) Resources for Organizations
  • Philanthropy Colorado lists of resources
  • Americans for the Arts Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center
  • Corona Insights is offering free consultations with arts nonprofits to help them create a strategy for sustaining the organization through the crisis.
  • Colorado Creative Industries is accepting applications for the COVID-19 CO Creatives Relief Grant: a one-time payment to non-profit arts organizations in Colorado with an annual operating budget of less than $1 million.
  • Colorado Creative Industries has updated their COVID-19 response programs, including new deadlines and funding for things like the CO CARES Grant, CO Creatives Relief Grant, and more. Check their COVID-19 resources website to check in on these and other resources across the state.
  • The Boulder Chamber of Commerce is hosting a website with detailed resources for businesses and nonprofits.
  • The Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Action Fund is maintaining an updated table of programs to track the changing situation with the CARES Act.

    For Artists and Small Business Owners

    In Support of our Arts Community

    • Contact Boulder County Arts Alliance or the Community Foundation of Boulder County to donate for direct support of artists in our community.
    • Arts and culture are essential to Colorado’s economic and social vitality. It’s undeniable that artists, cultural organizations and creative businesses need your support, now more than ever, as they face major economic challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many ways you can help the arts sector survive this challenging time, as well as continue to be enriched by Colorado’s artistic vibrancy. You can do so by Forgoing Ticket Refunds, Donating Today and Supporting Colorado Artists.
      Arts through it All is a result of collaborative efforts amongst a coalition of the state’s leading arts and cultural organizations, including Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA), Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), and several local and regional arts agencies, including Denver Arts & Venues, City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR), and others.

    There are many more resources available.  A great list is found on the Grantmakers in the Arts website. Staff at the Office of Arts and Culture is participating in a city-wide response to the emergency.  And, we continue to monitor the ongoing state and Federal response. We will add resources to this newsletter as they become available.

    ONGOING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES

    CITY OF BOULDER

    LOCAL RESOURCES

    NATIONAL RESOURCES

    ART IN PUBLIC PLACES

    FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

    LITERARY

    MEDIA

    PERFORMING

    RESIDENCIES

    VISUAL

    Have a suggestion to add to our list? Email culturalplan@bouldercolorado.gov.