We Are United

Dear Arts Community,

Minnesotans are known for working hard, for being generous, and for pulling together in times of crisis. That spirit has never been more present than in this unprecedented and challenging moment.

As we look after our physical health, the importance of arts and culture to our social, economic and community health is clear. Artists, creative workers and culture bearers from across Minnesota are stepping up to help foster healing, connection and meaning during this challenging time.

Over the past week, representatives of Minnesota's statewide arts service organizations, agencies and arts-focused philanthropic institutions have come together as a collective to discuss how we can join together with one voice to support the artists and organizations that bring creativity and connection to our lives.

As part of that effort, we have gathered some resources that we would like to share with you:

1. We need to track the impact of the crisis on the field:

• ORGANIZATIONS: Please take the Americans for the Arts Economic Impact of COVID-19 On Arts and Cultural Organizations to ensure that our nation’s political leaders understand the impact this crisis is having on our sector. 

• ARTISTS AND CREATIVE WORKERS: Please take Americans for the Art’s COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers so we can ensure that our nation’s political leaders understand the impact this crisis is having on artists. 

 

2. We need to help artists and creative workers: We will centralize information and links to resources on Springboard for the Arts’ Coronavirus Resource Page to help you find information that can support your business or your artistic practice, including grant programs and emergency relief for artists and creative workers.

 

3. We need to help arts organizations: We will identify and share resources we identify that can help arts organizations weather this storm. For now, they are listed at MCA’s Coronavirus Resource page and Springboard’s page for organizations.

 

4. Watch for more information from the Regional Arts Councils and the Minnesota State Arts Board about the results of the survey we conducted to understand the needs of the arts and culture community.

 

Those of us that support the state’s arts community are unanimous.

We are all working to increase funding flexibility, extend deadlines, address unforeseen gaps in funding and work together to do everything we can to be supportive in this unprecedented time for the arts in Minnesota. We remain committed to working together, as one, to bring you updates, activate you for timely advocacy efforts, share resources, and support the critical and important work of Minnesota’s creative sector.

 

In the meantime, please contact any of us with any questions or feedback on how we can best serve you in this moment. And know that we will get through this, together. 

Until next time,

     East Central Regional Arts Council and      

     Aroha Philanthropies

     Arrowhead Regional Arts Council

     Arts Midwest

     Bush Foundation

     Central Minnesota Arts Board

     City of Minneapolis Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

     Five Wings Arts Council

     Forum of Regional Arts Councils

     Jerome Foundation

     Lake Region Arts Council

     McKnight Foundation

     Metropolitan Regional Arts Council

     Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

     Minnesota Music Educators Association

     Minnesota Presenters Network

     Minnesota State Arts Board

     Minnesota Theater Alliance

     Northwest Minnesota Arts Council

     Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council

     Propel for Nonprofits

     Region 2 Arts Council

     Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation

     Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council

     Southwest Minnesota Arts Council

     Springboard for the Arts