Free and online, The Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit: Managing Transitions and Preserving Assets was created to guide arts leaders through three significant transitions you are likely to face during your organization’s life. Each of these ‘crossroads’ is addressed in a self-standing section of the Toolkit: structural shifts, departure of key staff/leadership and the creation of artistic and physical assets which deserve preserving.

In this session, you’ll learn how to build an authentic, compelling brand; configure a brand architecture that ensures innovations will add value in your organization; construct an overarching message; and develop a visual system that will connect all your efforts.

The Rescue Plan’s Grants to Organizations program will be carried out through one-time grants to eligible organizations including, but not limited to, nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, units of state or local government, federally recognized tribal communities or tribes, and a wide range of other organizations that can help advance the goals of this program

The Rescue Plan’s Grants to Local Arts Agencies for Subgranting program recognizes the central role that local arts agencies play in supporting artists, enhancing the quality of life in their communities, and increasing public access to the arts. Local arts agencies are valued partners of the Arts Endowment, greatly extending our reach and impact to assist communities respond to the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This webinar will discuss findings from the 2020 Profile of Local Arts Agencies, our annual survey of the LAA field. Conducted during the fall of 2020, the findings provide a first look at how LAAs have been impacted by, and are responding to, the pandemic. Join us as Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research at Americans for the Arts, discusses the budgets, programs, and operations of the nation’s local arts agencies and shares the updated interactive LAA Dashboard and online tools.

On March 11, 2021, Congress passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan (ARP) initiative introduced by the Biden Administration. A major feature of this legislation is $350 billion in state and local block grants for Coronavirus fiscal recovery. Last week, the U.S. Department of Treasury released guidelines for state and local governments to use to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. The guidelines have four broad categories, which includes the specific use of funds for assistance to small businesses, nonprofits, and hard-hit industries like tourism, travel, and hospitality. This webinar will help demonstrate how the arts and culture fit into these guidelines and include examples of governments already committing funds to support the arts and culture. We are pleased that the panel will explore both perspectives, not only from the arts side, but also from city/county/state government side.

Organizations of all genres and sizes have recently innovated to bring their work to the digital space, but how will these new offerings factor into your marketing strategies as you plan for re-opening? In this session, we’ll explore case studies of digital programming marketing successes from the last year, the impact they can have on audiences now and in the future, and how some organizations are thinking about the role of digital programming in a new, hybrid world.

As the COVID-19 pandemic crashed into society, many local arts agencies and municipalities looked for ways to continue to engage their audiences through public art. This movement towards access has been building over the 21st century, and the quick evolution to more technology to address access issues was pushed by social distancing and public health requirements. Local arts agencies and public art programs across the country quickly turned to their public art collections to develop socially distant activities to both provide engagement opportunities for their communities and promote public health and safety regulations. The use of technology, such as mapping tools, QR codes and web-based exhibitions came online to help give newly quarantined residents access to these collections in ways that were new and needed. This webinar will dive into ways to leverage different technologies to increase access to your public art collection for during the ongoing pandemic and beyond.

Learn details of arts funding opportunities in the newly enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The webinar will be hosted by Americans for the Arts Chief Counsel and Arts Action Fund Executive Director Nina Ozlu Tunceli with several guest speakers. We will be reserving 45 minutes for Q&A.

On December 27, 2020, the $900 billion “Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act” (Economic Aid Act) was signed into law along with a $1.4 trillion federal omnibus FY 21 appropriations bill. Additionally, Congress passed a veto-override to enact the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act on December 23, 2020, which includes support for creative arts therapies. Nina Ozlu Tunceli, the Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs at Americans for the Arts and the Executive Director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, will host the two-part webinar series to cover this vast array of arts funding opportunities on Friday at 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET on both January 15, 2021 and January 22, 2021. The two webinars will each feature unique content and will include expert speakers including attorney Sarah Mercer of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Brigadier General Nolen Bivens (U.S. Army Ret.), Interim President and CEO of Americans for the Arts; Narric Rome, the VP of Government Affairs and Arts Education at Americans for the Arts; and senior representatives of the Small Business Administration.

This webinar is designed to help participants learn key marketing planning strategies that will allow them to better connect, engage and communicate with their patrons during the difficult time of the global pandemic. Participants will learn how to re-evaluate, apply emotional intelligence and re-calibrate their understandings via a series of canvases and maps. Also, as many organizations have had their budgets cut significantly, the webinar will outline key elements needed when a strong marketing budget is unavailable.

Join us for a session on Payroll Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness options, and the income tax implications on receiving CARES Act grants, loans, or unemployment compensation. This webinar will include guidance and a Q & A with presenters Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs & Executive Director, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, and Sarah Mercer, Shareholder Attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP.

How can artists, Local Arts Agencies, and nexus organizations boost economic development and recovery for Black-owned, refugee-, and New American-owned businesses? Exchange with your peers about two creative models that offer ideas and strategies to support neighborhood businesses while putting creatives to work. How can artists, Local Arts Agencies, and nexus organizations boost economic development and recovery for Black-owned, refugee-, and New American-owned businesses? Exchange with your peers about two creative models that offer ideas and strategies to support neighborhood businesses while putting creatives to work.

The Arts & Culture sector is facing an unprecedented crisis with the economic fallout caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to a national survey conducted by Americans for the Arts​, financial losses to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are an estimated $14.0 billion, as of October 19, 2020. But we know that Local Arts Agencies, Arts & Cultures Organizations, and Artists are resilient in the face of adversity. This series will address essential topics for arts and culture organizations to consider as they respond to current needs and reimagine for the future.

Your arts organization is cultural heritage, learn to preserve it for future generations.

The estimated total impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts sector stands at $13.1 billion and growing, with layoffs, furloughs, and cancelled performances setting the stage for long-term financial impacts. At the same time, the value of the arts has never been greater as we watch creative organizations respond to very real social challenges, raising community conversations and spirits. This webinar speaks to organizations who are facing financial and operational hardships right now, and offers specific solutions to consider, instead of closing their doors completely.

Omaha, NE sound designer Bill Kirby of BLUEBARN Theatre shares the story of how he and fellow creative industry workers quickly mobilized for the September 1st national #RED Alert/RESTART day of action and got 40 Omaha venues, businesses, and even private residences to light their buildings red as a dramatic call to support the arts. The event played a pivotal role to capture public and legislators’ focus on COVID’s devastating impact on the arts community. Hear how they followed up with strategic messaging and a social media blitz that motivated the arts community and the city to advocate for the RESTART Act and gained three Omaha and Iowa legislators as co-sponsors. Momentum continues with further actions to advocate for the DAWN Act and, with legislators, to devise localized arts advocacy strategies to keep the full range of Omaha’s arts providers alive and well into the future. Pick up tips and share your advocacy and casemaking experiences in this practical exchange!

Emerging technologies, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are just a few of the uncertainties faced by cities and nonprofit organizations as they prepare for the future. Scenario planning is a proven methodology for analyzing and preparing for uncertain futures, that has been used by companies, cities, and organizations. Drawing on my recent book, Scenario Planning for Cities and Regions: Managing and Envisioning Uncertain Futures, this webinar will feature an overview of scenario planning concepts and tools, discuss a framework for implementing scenario planning for nonprofit organization strategic planning, and provide examples of how urban planners use scenarios.

Fully secured borrowing is our approach to borrowing for nonprofits that has been used for over four decades. It really works. It places control in your hands, not the lender. It is available to all nonprofits. And this includes every art-related nonprofit. In this webinar, you will learn about an approach that is particularly well suited for these COVID-19 times. You will see how you can use this resource as a solid base for all your fundraising and earned revenue strategies. You will discover how to do this for your organization and how to quickly and easily place a firm fiscal foundation under your institution as you move ahead. Through the resources listed on this event page, you will have all the documents that you need to successfully use this approach. While we cannot know the future, we can prepare ourselves to adapt in a way that works

​COVID-19 has pushed our arts organizations and individual artists to the edge. Some have shut down for the short term in hope of securing the future; some have quickly pivoted to online content; many have grappled with what it means to serve their missions and audiences during a pandemic while remaining (hopefully) solvent and (hopefully) vital even amidst massive uncertainty and reduced capacity.

Join us for a session on the NEWLY Released (6/17/20) Paycheck Protection Loan Forgiveness Application Forms and Flexibility Rules. This webinar will include guidance and a robust Q & A with Nina Ozlu Tunceli and Sarah Mercer.

Join us as we explore the Paycheck Protection Program from the CARES Act passed by congress in the end of March of 2020.

In this on-demand video series, we will explore the federal relief programs available to artists and arts organizations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Hosted by Nina Ozlu Tunceli, the Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs at Americans for the Arts and the Executive Director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, these videos will address topics such as the Paycheck Protection Program, Pandemic Unemployment, Small Business Loans, and more.

Join us as we explore the Pandemic Unemployment benefits from the CARES Act passed by congress in the end of March of 2020.

This is the first video of our Federal Relief Funds for the Arts 1010 series. Join us as we explore an overview of relief opportunities from the CARES Act passed by congress in the end of March of 2020.

The long-awaited Treasury guidelines and application form on loan forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) have finally been released. With thousands of arts groups and self-employed artists having successfully received billions of dollars in PPP loans, the goal now is to get these loans forgiven. Join Americans for the Arts and the Arts Action Fund for a PPP Loan Forgiveness webinar on Friday, May 29th at 3:00 pm EDT. Speakers include: • Robert L. Lynch, Americans for the Arts President and CEO will provide an update on the latest legislative developments as it relates to PPP Loans in Congress. • Sarah Mercer, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Shareholder Attorney will provide detailed guidance on the Treasury Department's newly released PPP Loan Forgiveness application and instructions. • Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Americans for the Arts Action Fund Executive Director will join Sarah in hosting a Q & A of specific challenges arts organizations and self-employed artists are facing with the PPP forgiveness guidelines.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced arts organizations across the globe to rethink and reshape the way they operate and present their programs. When analyzed, a vast majority of these changes are not temporary, but permanent organizational changes we need to make regardless of the ability to present in-person events. The ultimate goal during this time is to maintain engagement as a team and with the public in any way possible, while at the same time figuring out a strategy to build revenue and donations during and after the crisis. The silver lining is that this situation offers arts organizations an opportunity to spend time growing and evolving into the ever-changing digital landscape, increasing overall reach and audience engagement.

This session will discuss fundraising and crafting a spring appeal in the age of COVID-19. We will discuss questions like “Is it appropriate to fundraise in this time?” “What is the strategy and message?” “What can arts organizations do now to continue engaging with patrons and donors, even while most of us are unable to gather in person?” Presenters will facilitate a discussion, share best practices and highlight different approaches arts organizations can take.

With billions of dollars newly added to replenish the popular Paycheck Protection Program and the SBA's Emergency Disaster Loans, this ArtsU free webinar on the federal CARES Act will feature the following: Bob Lynch, Americans for the Arts President and CEO will provide an update on the billions of dollars already awarded to the arts and entertainment sector through the first round of CARES Act funding and a roadmap of what's coming next. Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Americans for the Arts Action Fund Executive Director will share local success stories and best practices of artists and arts groups who have already successfully secured CARES Act funding and tips for still applying. Randy Cohen, Americans for the Arts Vice President of Research and Information will share findings from four active surveys that Americans for the Arts is currently conducting on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts. Ruby Lopez Harper, Americans for the Arts Senior Director of Local Arts Advancement will provide a customized walk-through of the newly updated Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Resource and Response Center​ on the web.

With the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) signed into law, Americans for the Arts Government Affairs staff and guests will lay out the various pieces of the legislation and how it pertains to the arts sector. With $2.6 trillion of funds, there are about six sections of the legislation that can directly, and indirectly support artists, arts organizations, and small businesses in the creative economy.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has created substantial disruption to earned revenue for organizations and income streams for individuals. Are you thinking about setting up a relief fund? Not sure where to start or how to best navigate it? Join our panel as they share how they setup their relief funds, questions to ask and insights they learned through the process.

Join Americans for the Arts staff who will overview our advocacy and research relating to the new federal COVID-19 Relief Package.  Speakers will discuss Americans for the Arts COVID-19 response resources, the new legislation, what parts relate to arts organizations, artists, and the creative economy and what you should expect in the next few weeks.  

As the Coronavirus (COVD-19) continues to develop, it's important that Local Arts Agencies and arts and culture organizations consider their preparedness, prevention, and response. Join members of Americans for the Arts’ staff, Ruby Lopez Harper, John Rubsamen, and Narric Rome, with Jan Newcomb, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response, Barbara Davis, Chief Operating Officer of The Actors Fund, Rhonda Schaller, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Visiting Associate Professor at Pratt Institute, and Michael Orlove, Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships, and International Activities, and Lara Holman Garratano, Local Arts Agencies Specialist, from the National Endowment for the Arts to hear current information about actions to take, including: planning to consider, handling grant funded projects, managing stress during moments of crisis, and continuing to support artists. This briefing will also include an update on the status of congressional action on economic impact and stimulus funding and how it relates to the arts and cultural sector.

The World Health Organization has now classified the spread of coronavirus as a pandemic, forcing cancellations of events by local mandate or out of “an abundance of caution”. As a result, the performing arts presenting, booking and touring industry is navigating uncharted waters, as we look to both contracts—and to each other—for direction. Join the partners of the Alliance for Performing Arts Conferences (APAC)*, as we host an informative, field-wide conversation with presenters, agents, artists, and legal and emergency response experts around the current business, legal, financial, ethical and relational realities we are facing TOGETHER.