Resources for Creators and Creativity During Covid-19
Here’s are some ways we can support creators who may be impacted by the pandemic and ways to bring creativity into your life while quarantined. Keep in mind the news moves really fast and the offerings may have changed since the post’s original publication. I'll be updating this post as the crisis evolves and our needs change. If you are a creator offering a service, or if you'd like to add a resource to this list, please leave a comment. We're in this together <3
Economic Resources for Creators:
While the CARES Act offers assistance for small businesses, self-employed workers, and freelancers, the application process isn't easy. Here's an online course about navigating the CARES Act as a small business.
What Gig Workers Need to Know About Collecting Unemployment - via NPR
The Freelancer's Co-op has created a comprehensive Freelancers Guide to the CARES Act.
Fortune recently published some thorough advice for freelancers impacted by the pandemic.
Poets and Writers has a round-up of resources for writers.
Study Hall, a professional network for freelance writers, made their previously gated content on Patreon available for free.
PEN America has an Emergency Fund for Writers impacted by the Coronavirus.
There's also the Freelancer's Relief Fund.
Here's a master list of resources for artists, including relief programs and grants from Creative Capital.
Resources for Artists and Book Sellers
Resources for Freelance Artists
For musicians, Band Camp is waiving their cut of sales so all the revenue goes directly to musicians. NPR also has this round-up on how fans can support the music industry, which includes a number of relief funds.
The Local Enterprise Assistance Fund has created resources to assist small businesses.
For artists in Boston, the city of Boston started the Boston Artist Relief Fund awarding grants of $500 to individual artists whose creative practices and incomes have been impacted by Covid-19.
If you are looking for remote work, there's this list of 1575 Remote Jobs from 100+ Companies.
For Creative Activities and Enrichment at Home:
Make Sure Your Library Card is Up To Date to access your library's Digital Resources, like Boston's e-Cards.
Your library might also have a virtual story time or activities on Facebook live, like the Kansas City Public Library
Students from Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley Give Free Tutoring to K-12 Students
Center for Distance and Online Learning is offering free resources.
Draw with children's book author Mo Willem.
or download free coloring pages from Museums.
Tune in to the #AuthorsEverywhere series on YouTube hosted by author Susan Tan.
Coming up in May, the Everywhere Book Fest will kick off it's virtual book festival.
You can also check out the Stay at Home Online Music Festival.
Here's a big google doc of quarantine activities for kids
And 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free.
You can also check out MIT's Open Courseware.
Fender is offering Free Guitar Lessons
Professional Photographers of America is offering free access to its 1,100+ classes
You can take free drawing classes from famous illustrators.
Or virtual cooking classes on Instagram with chefs like Massimo Bottura or Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski. Chef Julia Turshen also offers daily food writing prompts on Instagram.
Here's a list of Live Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Shutdown - via NPR
The Guardian offers a round-up: From Stand-up to the Sistine Chapel: The Best Online Culture for Self-Isolation
These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take On Your Couch
The Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center offers “Care Package: Poems, Meditations, Films, and Other Cultural Nutrients for Times Like This.”
These TV Services (And More) Are Offering Free Access - via NPR
45 Things You Can Do At Home That Don't Involve A Screen
5 Easy Art Projects to Try During Coronavirus - via NPR
Barnes and Noble Launches a National Children’s Short Story Contest.
If You're Looking For Irreverence:
The Coronavirus Is Inspiring Memes, Parodies, and Art in Asia as a Way to Cope - LA Times
Face Masks, Toilet Rolls, and PSAs: The Graffiti and Street Art of the Coronavirus Pandemic
DIY Pandemic Haircuts are the Latest Social Media Trend
The Queen of England Gives a Speech In a Green Dress and Photoshoppers Know What To Do
The Front Steps Project
Cormac McCarthy’s The Quarantine -McSweeney’s
The Best Puzzles for Throwing Off Your Kitchen Table In A Fit of Rage - Reductress
These Artists Are Still Making Public Art Even When The Streets Are Empty - NPR
Reading While Quarantined
There are TONS of social distancing reading lists right now--tons and tons and tons--but these in particular caught my attention:
31 Books to Read While Self-Isolating, Chosen by Boston Booksellers (via Boston Magazine)
Escapist Young Adult Novels Offer a Breath of Fresh Air in the Current Political Climate (via Bitch Media)
Exploring America Through Books (via Book Riot)
16 Uplifting Books To Read In These Dark Times (via Book Riot)
13 Essential Pandemic Novels (via Publishers Weekly)
If purchasing books, consider supporting your local indie bookstore. Many are offering online ordering with free/discounted shipping or curbside pick-up. Dave Eggers has a good piece on why we should support our indie bookstores during this crisis. (Added bonus: your indie bookstore is likely to ship your next book faster to you than Amazon).
Here are some tips on starting a virtual book club, as well as some more ideas on how to use digital tools for your book club.
If you aren't part of a book club, you are welcome to join mine! This month, we're reading Danny Caine's zine, How to Resist Amazon and Why. You can join the discussion here.
If You Need Some Good News:
Here's a look at some of the amazing acts of kindness happening across the country and around the world (via the New York Times)
as well as 5 Reasons to Be Hopeful (via the BBC)
and how the pandemic is leading to a huge drop in air pollution (via The Guardian)
Here's the dog sled team delivering supplies to elderly folks in quarantine.
Every Dog Was Adopted from This Florida Shelter For the First Time in Its History - The Hill
If You're Looking for Ways to Help:
Scientists say the best way for us to help right now is to stay home in order to flatten the curve. Here are some actions you can take either at home or while practicing social distancing:
Contribute to Amy McGrath's senate campaign to kick Mitch McConnell to the curb. Seriously. Fuck that guy.
Social distancing is leading to a severe shortage of blood. Learn more about donating blood with the American Red Cross
There's also been a greater demand at food banks.
Help senior citizens stay connected by joining a group like Dorot.
Support workers by staying on the right side of picket lines.
Speak out against racism by sharing this website for Asian-Americans to report coronavirus-related racismdeveloped by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, or simply reminding folks who use language like 'Chinese virus' that it's called "Covid-19."
Donate to Planned Parenthood because state governments are trying to use the crisis to eliminate abortion rights.
Consider donating to the Trevor Project to support LGBTQ youth who may be quarantined in unsupportive households.
Learn about the impact of the pandemic on the service industry with this recent interview from David Chang and how a collapsed restaurant industry has implications for cultural diversity in America - New York Times.
Frontline Foods is supporting communities by sending meals from local restaurants to frontline workers.
With an influx of abandoned pets, local animal shelters can use support. If you can, consider fostering or adopting a pet. You can also help get the word out that pets can't spread covid-19 so people will stop abandoning their pets.
and, last but not least, Fill Out Your Census Form. A small but mighty contribution. (John Oliver did a great report on why the census is important).
If You've Been Living Under A Rock and Have No Idea What I'm Talking About:
Here's a Timeline of the Coronavirus Pandemic from the New York Times.
As well as a thorough overview from The Atlantic
You can also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization for updates.
Stay Safe, Stay Home. Wash Your Hands. We're in this Together <3