In December, artistic organizations across the country received a glimpse of hope through a federal lifeline. Now, it’s the waiting game.
The $ 900 billion pandemic stimulus package that earmarked $ 15 billion for “struggling live venues, cinemas and museums” comes in the wake of the recent support provided to organizations through various provisions of the CARES Act.
“Once again, we are happy to see the arts included in emergency relief efforts. Artists, artistic organizations and the entire cultural sector were hit so hard, ”said David Platts, executive director of the South Carolina Arts Commission.
There are stipulations. There is an eligibility requirement that entities have lost at least 25% of their revenue due to the pandemic. The funds will be used in expenses such as rent and utilities, payroll and protective equipment.
The guidelines are pending.
“But both for-profit and non-profit entities will be able to apply for funds” through the Small Business Administration, Platts said.
Platts added that the defense of these funds was led by a new grassroots defense network, the National Independent Venue Association, which formed after the closure of the industry due to COVID-19. South Carolina currently has 24 entities that are members of the association, which have been lobbying for funding through the Save Our Stages campaign.
In addition to the funds, Platts noted that artists and cultural workers who were unable to return to work will benefit from direct incentive checks from the IRS, extension of unemployment insurance and access to the $ 25 billion earmarked for rent assistance. They will also be able to continue to apply for PPP loans and will benefit from renewed interest and a $ 7 billion investment in rural broadband.
“Many artistic organizations have developed digital programming that can expand their reach,” said Platts. “But this requires the ability of consumers to connect to the internet, and the pandemic has brought to light the inequalities in broadband access in our state and country. . “
Many of the state’s arts and entertainment organizations are excited. Rhonda Hunsinger, executive director of the Columbia-based South Carolina Philharmonic, said that at first glance, it looks like the organization should qualify for more PPP funding.
“We understand through our League of American Orchestras that an unprecedented level of support for live performing arts will be included,” she said. “So, we are hopeful. Freelance musicians also qualify for extended unemployment benefits, and some of our players can benefit. “
Cara Leepson, executive director of the Redux Contemporary Arts Center in Charleston, is also hopeful.
“We were fortunate to have received funding for the first round of federal stimulus financing and apparently we qualified for this second round of financing, too,” she said.
Still, as artistic organizations position themselves for funding, Platts recommends clarity and transparency.
“Be direct and answer any questions that are asked. This is true for emergency relief, as well as for any other concession, ”he said, noting that panelists are reading hundreds, sometimes thousands, of requests and it can be difficult to eliminate superfluous language and unrelated narratives. “So many artistic organizations are in a difficult situation right now – tell your story directly and truly. This is the best that anyone can do. ”
Anita Floyd, executive director of the Columbia Film Society, which oversees Nickelodeon’s artistic cinema and the city’s annual Indie Grits festival, is poised to put her organization in the best possible position, paying close attention to how the revenue loss percentage requirement is structured to make sure that they respond.
“The Pay Check Protection Program created a certain frenzy at the beginning. We know that we need to follow the new programs closely. ”
It remains to be seen whether this will sustain the arts in South Carolina during the pandemic.
“Every nonprofit, artistic or otherwise, is in a different financial position,” said Platts. “It all helps and we hope to see the art installations benefit from this new monetary stimulus.”
The Redux Contemporary Art Center has workshops and classes that can make you eligible for federal stimulus package funding. Redux Contemporary Art Center / Provided
At Redux, any financing received would go to the basics.
”The financing will mainly support our operating expenses, which is not attractive or attractive, but remains extremely necessary for the sustainability of Redux. As our regularly trusted sources of revenue dried up completely during the pandemic, we struggled to pay our monthly bills. “
At the Charleston Gaillard Center, development director Catherine Brack said that, like many nonprofit arts organizations, Gaillard is waiting for help, which she sees possibly coming in two ways.
“First, direct aid from the $ 15 billion grant, although I think that our organization and many organizations like ours in Charleston are probably in a third or fourth tier to receive any part of it.
“However, as we saw with the last stimulus package, it could be attributed to the SC Arts Commission, which in turn would reassign it to regional and local artistic organizations. This is where I see the Gaillard Center as a possible recipient of this funding. “
Other practitioners, like William Starrett, artistic and executive director of Columbia City Ballet, and Charles Carmody, executive director of Charleston Music Hall, await more details.
“It was great to see recognition at the federal level about the impact of COVID on entertainment venues,” said Carmody.
Platt notes, however, the crucial role of the arts in driving all South Carolinaians.
“The past nine months have distilled everyone’s lives to the basics and we are all feeling the impact of a world with limited access to the arts,” he said. “We need the arts more than ever and we hope that all emergency relief efforts will help sustain artistic organizations long enough to get out on the other side. “