Signposting benefits, statements, support for arts workers following the COVID-19 outbreak. Last updated: 27 August.
Advice and Guidance on the outbreak
– NHS Inform
– Scottish Government advice
– UK Government’s Coronavirus Action Plan
Industry Guidelines
– Scottish Government Guidance for Performing Arts & Venues Sector
– UK Government Guidelines for Performing Arts
Government support & benefits:
– Employment & Support Allowance (for folk with Covid-19) – you have to have paid NI contributions over last 2-3 years, if that isn’t you, look at…
– Universal Credit (they are suspending the minimum income floor restriction and you won’t have to go to a job centre if you are self-isolating)
– Hardship Fund that has been given to local councils to help people with council tax.
– Self Employed Income Support Scheme – check if you are eligible and when you can apply here (read our blog post on how to claim) – you can claim a first grant up until 13 July. A second grant is available to claim from 17 August.
– The Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) has been extended too. Details here.
– In Scotland, if you are experiencing hardship, you can apply for a crisis grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund.
– HMRC (0800 015 9559) will arrange bespoke time to pay your taxes – allowing a little more time to pay your taxes.
– Scottish Government’s Support for Business
– Support for those affected by COVID-19 on gov.uk
– Complete ban on evictions and extra protection for renters
Financial support:
– A-Z of Funding & Resources collated by Creative Scotland
– Arts Council England: Emergency Funding Package
– Acting for Others: emotional & financial support to theatre workers
– The Actors Children Trust – for parent-actors
– Creative Scotland’s Bridging Bursary (now closed)
– Creative Scotland’s Sustaining Creative Development Fund
– Dance Professionals Fund
– Emergency Support for UK Theatre Artists
– Industry Specific Benevolent Funds list
– MAD Trust Covid-19 Harship Fund
– Smallwood Trust provides to support to women on low incomes
– Financial help & rights (including 3 months mortgage holidays, credit card breaks)- see more in this article from MoneySavingExpert.
Other kinds of support:
– Mind: Coronavirus and your wellbeing
– Facebook Group for self-employed support during outbreak
– Facebook Group: UK Theatre Industry Corona Virus
– Donate to help self-employed workers during the outbreak
– ArtsMinds – support the industry
– Mental Health in the Workplace resource
– Sign this petition to give self-employed people Statutory Sick Pay
– Theatre Helpline: Call 0800 915 4617/email advice@theatrehelpline.org.
– Film & TV Helpline: 0800 054 0000
– NHS’ list of Mental Health Helplines
Response from Arts Funders, Unions & Industry:
– The Stage – Coronavirus: breaking news, live updates
– Arts Council Wales response, Resilience Fund details due 7 April
– Creative Scotland, 27 March
– Arts Council England response, 24 March
– Arts Council Northern Ireland, 16 March
– Equity, 14 March
– London Funders, 13 March
– FST (Federation of Scottish Theatre), 13 March
– Global responses from Arts Councils, 12 March
– Help Musicians, 12 March
– Theatre Forum Ireland, updated 12 March
– Arts Council Wales, 9 March
– ITC (Independent Theatre Council), 6 March (for producers, organisers)
– Bectu
Recording the impact of Covid-19 on Arts Workers – data collection
– FST have been in touch with members asking them to quantify the impact to cashflow and the direct/indirect impact on employment over the next few months (this is sensitive information and it is to be treated in confidence);
– Culture Counts is collating qualitative feedback on the impact,
– Tracy Brabin MP, is seeking to hear concerns from freelancers working in sport or creative industries so she can pull a dossier together to give to UKGov.
Other things:
– EdFringe: most recent statement, 27 March
– Middle Child offered to share their contingency plans.
– Edinburgh International Festival opts for a digital launch to the annual festival
If you have other helpful references, please let us know.
Independent Arts Projects is fundraising to sustain its creative practice and the work of the artists and arts workers it collaborates with during the Covid-19 crisis. If you would like to donate to support the company at this time, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/iap.
Thank you.