Resources to Support You and Your Business During Quarantine

The COVID-19 lockdown is hitting artists and creators especially hard. These resources can help you stay afloat during the quarantine period.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown measures are wreaking havoc on all kinds of industries and businesses, from restaurants to airlines, but it is especially troublesome for artists and creatives.

Those who relied on live performances or in-person classes to survive now find themselves with no chance to continue their professional activities. Those who worked in a studio or at home, and can keep doing it during quarantine, face deteriorating market conditions. Commissions have dwindled, and fear of a recession is holding back creative projects for many companies.

If you are affected by the situation, know that several programs can help you face the next months, and stay afloat until the COVID-19 crisis passes. It is an excellent opportunity, also, to consider new distribution options for your projects if you are an independent artist.

Check government aid

Depending on the country you live in, national and local governments may have various plans in place for those financially affected by the lockdown measures. In the United States, Congress approved an extensive aid package that includes direct incentives to citizens in the form of a $1,200 check and additional compensation for those who are registered as unemployed.

Aside from these measures, there are several initiatives aimed at helping businesses that could be useful for artists. If you are a small business owner or are registered as self-employed, you may qualify for financial aid to help you make payroll (including paying your own salary) or delay debt collection. The U.S. Small Business Administration is working with local governments to create zero-interest loan programs as well so that companies can continue to operate during the quarantine period.

Finally, cities and regional governments have complementary programs specifically aimed at small businesses and artists. Check with your city council or your state governor's office to take advantage of some of these plans. We encourage you to do it as soon as possible, as funding could run out.

The Artist Relief Fund and other non-governmental resources

If you have lived and worked as an artist in the United States for the past two years, you may qualify for the Artist Relief Fund, a program set by a coalition of national arts grantmakers that is offering up to $5,000 to artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To be eligible for a relief grant, applicants must be practicing artists able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to their work, have a public audience and be over 21 years of age.

If you are lucky enough to be in a favorable financial situation during the pandemic and want to help other fellow artists, consider donating some money to this fund. You can do it from their website.

There are more non-profit organizations and foundations that you can benefit from depending on the type of artistic work you do and your location. Kickstarter has an extensive list of different funding options.

For craft artists, CERF+ can provide some aid and resources during these times, specifically for those facing immediate medical emergencies.

Consider new outlets for your work

If you can work from home, consider new ways to sell your creations so you can keep some level of income coming in. If you have never considered selling your art online, now is an excellent time to experiment with it.

Shopify, a popular tool for setting up an online shop, is offering an extended free trial. Instead of the usual 14-day period, new users can run their store for 90 days before having to pay for the service. The company is also offering free email marketing tools for all plans.

EBay is waiving selling fees for listings of new business sellers until June 30 and providing free access to the basic eBay Store as well.

Etsy, a popular platform for craft artists, is investing an additional 5 million dollars in advertisements to bring more traffic to creators during these months.

If you have a large following in social media, this could be the perfect time to try Patreon or other donation sites. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask your community for help during these troubled times.

You may be interested in:

- 10 Tips For Being More Productive Working From Home.
- 7 Apps for Remote Working.
- 5 Tips for Working From Home.