Councilmember Krekorian's Resources for Artists During the Crisis Webinar:

Webinar Resources:

City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA): https://culturela.org/

The Department of Cultural Affairs website and social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are where you'll find information about upcoming online classes, online grantee events, and online resources for artists and for individuals and families.

DCA at Home: The DCA at Home section lists a series of online events and video classes and links from Community Art Centers and grantees.

DCA COVID-19 Resources for Artists and the General Public: As a service to the greater Los Angeles community, and artists, DCA provides their Resource List, which catalogs emergency grant relief funds for artists and arts organizations, as well as tools, educational resources for artists. This list also contains art education, virtual tours, and online classes for families, students, and anyone interested in art experiences.

DCA Grant Opportunities: DCA supports artists through a variety of programs to ensure that free or low-cost art and cultural services are accessible to the people of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture: https://www.lacountyarts.org/

The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture website provides leadership, services, and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations, countywide arts education initiatives, commissioning and care for civic art collections, research and evaluation, access to creative pathways, professional development, free community programs, and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues.

LA Regional COVID Relief Fund: https://www.lacovidfund.org/grants?fbclid=IwAR3bhAIl6wtuLu23mwEpRjEWdBPT2rDTR66qLQQOSFO1DCfa3kORh__xkEg

Department of Arts and Culture Digital Resource Center: https://www.lacountyarts.org/digital-resource-center

LA County Arts Grant Opportunities and Arts Internships: https://www.lacountyarts.org/opportunities

Youth Development Through the Arts: https://www.lacountyarts.org/sites/default/files/artsculture-youth-develoment-through-the-arts.pdf

Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture Info Sheet: https://www.lacountyarts.org/sites/default/files/artsandcultureinfosheet-v3.pdf

LA County Arts Internship Program 2019 Highlights: https://www.lacountyarts.org/sites/default/files/2019internshiphighlights_v4.pdf

Arts For LA: https://www.artsforla.org/

Visit the Arts For LA website to keep up to date with the latest Arts for LA News, upcoming events, find job opportunities, call-to-artists, and professional development events. Become a member of the Creative Economy!

Arts for LA Job Listings: https://www.artsforla.org/job_listings

Arts for LA Artist Opportunities: https://www.artsforla.org/artist_opportunities

Take Action: https://www.artsforla.org/fight_for_arts_education

What Can I Do Today?:

• Start your application for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) available programs and specifically for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
• File an Employment Development Department (EDD) UI Online Application - the fastest and most convenient way to file or reopen your claim, certify for benefits, and get up-to-date claim and payment information. Self-employed and independent contractors now qualify.
• Take the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Survey here designed to collect information about the financial and human impacts that the spread of the coronavirus has had on arts and cultural organizations since that date.
• If you are an individual such as a practicing artist/hobby artist/creative worker/culture bearer, an educator/teaching artist, and/or a creative entrepreneur, click here to complete the AFTA separate survey for individuals.

Programs initiated to-date:

Federal Relief Resources

• On March 27, the US House of Representatives passed, and President Trump signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), an unprecedented and historic $2 Trillion pandemic relief package with many provisions that will help arts nonprofits who are struggling as well as artists and arts workers who are unemployed as a result of COVID-19. For additional information about provisions in the CARES Act that effect nonprofits click here.
• The CARES Act offers many funding opportunities for small businesses, non-profits, sole proprietorships, freelancers, contract workers, and gig economy workers. Here is a breakdown of key opportunities compiled by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

State Relief Resources

• All independent contractors and the self-employed professionals qualify for the expanded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. For more information, visit the California Employment Development Department (EDD) at edd.ca.gov.

City Relief Resources

• Apply for the City of Los Angeles Emergency Microloan Program: https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/microloan-program.
• Small business owners may view the Los Angeles County Commercial Rental / Eviction Moratorium here.
• The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) issued the Arts Emergency Relief Fund to provide relief to a spectrum of LA-based performing artists who were financially affected by the unanticipated disruption caused by COVID-19. Applications deadline is May 1^st.
• DCA has developed a list of resources to provide opportunities for art instruction, art experiences, and creative pursuits during this period of social distancing here.

Relief Funds & Financial Assistance For Individuals

• Actors Fund emergency financial assistance program helps eligible applicants in need. The Actors Fund is also administering COVID19 Assistance programs for performing arts and entertainment unions including SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Actors Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists and Musicians Local 802. Additionally, The Fund is administering the Jujamcyn Theatre Assistance Program.
• Artly World launched the Artist Relief Project supporting artist with $200 grants.
• Dramatists Guild Foundation launches relief fund supporting individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters.
• Forecast has launched a national initiative to support public artists and public art programs during this pandemic. They will immediately begin to offer pro bono consultations and technical support to any public artist or public art administrator based in the U.S. and the Native nations that share the same geography from now until May 31.
• In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the artist community, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts is creating a temporary fund to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions.
• In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Women's Center for Creative Work is currently distributing $1,000 grants to support individual artists. They are opting for a short form application and rolling weekly deadline for $1,000 grants. Applicants who qualify* can submit an application by the Friday deadline each week here.

Additional Arts Relief Programs:

Help for Public Arts Spaces

• Project for Public Spaces created a blog post to help public space managers help fight COVID-19: https://www.pps.org/article/you-asked-we-answered-how-can-public-space-managers-help-fight-covid-19
• Americans for the Arts has a blog post on resources, stories and information for implementing community engagement events virtually here: https://blog.americansforthearts.org/2020/03/25/community-engagement-in-the-time-of-covid-19

Americans for the Arts: Coronavirus Webinars

• How CARES Act Supports The Art Sector: https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/how-the-cares-act-supports-the-arts-sector
• Setting Up an Emergency Fund: https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/setting-up-an-emergency-relief-fund
• Arts and Culture Sector and the Coronavirus: What we know and how to move forward? : https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/arts-and-culture-sector-and-the-coronavirus-what-we-know-and-how-to-move-forward#tab-product_tab_overview
• We Are Stronger Together: Navigating Crises and Sustaining Healthy Relationships in the Era of Coronavirus: https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/we-are-stronger-together-navigating-crises-and-sustaining-healthy-relationships-in-the-era-of-coronavirus

Team Krekorian is committed to helping you through the coronavirus emergency period. If you need assistance with any COVID-19 related issues, such as landlord, renter support, or small business resources, please let us know. We will do our best to assist you directly or provide support in connecting you to the right services.

Please note, due to an overwhelming demand for assistance, we will do our best to connect you to resources as quickly as possible, but there may be some delays.

To quickly access helpful links and vital coronavirus emergency information, please utilize the COVID-19 Updates & Help page here.

PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

On March 27, the City Council enacted one of the strongest renter protection ordinances in the U.S., and the Mayor has ensured additional protections for renters in certain circumstances by executive order. These protections apply during the declared emergency period.

If you are a renter in the City of Los Angeles and you have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, the following protections apply to you:

• No renter can be evicted during the emergency period for inability to pay rent for any reason related to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Renters are not required to provide their landlord with proof of their emergency related to the COVID-19 crisis.  However, you should keep any documentation you may have of loss of income or other impacts in case there is a legal dispute in the future.
• Those tenants who cannot pay rent will have up to one full year after the emergency period ends to pay the unpaid amount, and no late charges or interest may be imposed.
• No renter can be evicted during the emergency period for having additional occupants or pets in the residence relating to the crisis, even if they are not authorized by the lease.
• No renter can be evicted over increased noise or other claims of nuisance that are related to the crisis.
• All “no fault” evictions are prohibited during the emergency period.
• All Ellis Act evictions are prohibited until 60 days after the emergency period.
• No renter in a rent controlled building (that is, a building subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance) may have their rent increased during the declared emergency period.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CANNOT PAY YOUR RENT DUE TO THE EMERGENCY

If you can pay your rent, you should -- the renter protections in Los Angeles do not relieve you of your obligations.  However, if you are unable to pay your rent because of the COVID-19 crisis, you should notify your landlord in writing. You cannot be evicted and you will be allowed additional time to pay.  If you need assistance or more information, you can contact my office at 818-755-7676.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR LANDLORD THREATENS OR ATTEMPTS TO EVICT YOU

1. Stay Calm. Courts throughout California have temporarily ceased processing evictions during the COVID-19 emergency, so no eviction action against you can be enforced until the emergency has lifted. If your landlord or anyone acting on their behalf tries to lock you out or remove you from your unit, call 911 and request the police.
2. Get informed. Review the Housing and Community Investment Department COVID-19 resources at https://hcidla.lacity.org/covid-19-renter-protections.
3. Take action. Contact the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department at 1-866-557-7368 or go to https://hcidla.lacity.org/File-a-RSO-Complaint.
4. Contact my office at 818-755-7676 and we will assist you or refer you to someone who can.