COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness - Mississippi Arts Commission

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mississippi Arts Commission has worked in emergency preparedness for the arts and disaster recovery to support our constituents before, during, and after times of crisis. We are here to help you or your local arts entity in any way possible.

COVID-19 Guidance & Resources

As COVID-19 spreads, we recognize that this health concern presents special challenges for the arts sector, especially those hosting mass gatherings, such as performances, festivals, screenings, and the like.

2020 State Arts Conference Panel: “Preparing for and Coping with Emergencies Facing the Arts”

How is MAC responding to COVID-19?

For Current Grantees: If out of an abundance of caution you have chosen to alter, postpone, or cancel your planned grant activities in response to COVID-19, complete this COVID-19 MAC Grant Change Form. Submit the completed form to Kristen Brandt, kbrandt@arts.ms.gov or mail the form to MAC offices at 501 North West Street Suite 1101A, Jackson, MS 39201.

MAC CARES Emergency Grants: In response to the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, MAC created MAC CARES Emergency Grants. This series of grants was made possible through federal CARES Act funding as well as state support. Through MAC’s partners at the National Endowment for the Arts and South Arts, the agency was able to provide financial support to its existing operating grantees and project grantees. Through state funding, the agency created Rapid Response Minigrants to respond to the needs of individual artists and arts organizations.

APR COVID Relief and RESCUE Grants: The ARP COVID Relief grant program is a special funding opportunity from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) made possible from a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Federal American Rescue Plan. ARP funds distributed through MAC will provide one-time grants to eligible non-profit arts organizations in Mississippi to provide organizational support due to the financial impact created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other COVID-19 Resources:

Americans for the Arts has created a resource center on their website with an exhaustive list of funding opportunities for artists and arts organizations as well as guidance on re-opening. Americans for the Arts is also collecting data and impact stories through this survey. ArtsReady has also shared information for event venues.

Below you will find links to documents and resources that may be helpful to you for emergency preparedness and recovery.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Guidance for Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events
World Health Organization (WHO)
- Guidance for Mass Gatherings

Resources for Artists

COVID-19 & Freelance Artists – listing of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
While At Home – Listing of Relief Funds and Grants (organized by artist genre and need)
Artwork Archive – Financial Relief Resources for Artists
Foundation for the Contemporary Arts – Emergency Grant for artists in the fields of dance, music/sound, performance art/theater, poetry, and visual arts
The Artist Fellowship – Emergency Grant for Visual Artists
Association of Performing Arts Professionals – Guidance & Resources
Artists in a Time of Global Pandemic – Panel (recorded)
“Coping with COVID: Financial Implications for Creative Individuals” – Creative Capital Webinar (recorded)
Association of Teaching Artists & Arts Education Stakeholders – Webinar (recorded)
“Teaching Theatre Online: A Shift in Pedagogy Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak” by Dr. Daphnie Sicre of Loyola Marymount University
Alliance of Artists Communities – Resources for Artist Residencies

Resources for Organizations

National Endowment for the Arts – The Art of Reopening Webinar & Guidebook
Americans for the Arts – Arts Fund speaks on The American Rescue Plan – Webinar & Slides
Washington State Arts Commission – “Creative Borrowing for Your COVID19 Comeback” – Webinar & Manual
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society – Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook
Event Safety Alliance – Reopening Guide
American Alliance of Museums – Resources and Information for the Museum Field
Association of Art Museum Curators – Resource Page
American Choral Directors Association – COVID Response Report with guidance and action steps for both virtual and hybrid performances as well as for safer in-person performances
Performing Arts Readiness – Guidance for Performing Arts Centers
Symphony Spot – Performance Directory with links to examples of virtual performances produced across a variety of platforms
Theatre Communications Group – Webinar (recorded)
League of American Orchestras – Guidance & Discussion Group
National Performance Network – Statement & Resources
Event Safety Alliance – Webinar (recorded) & Slides
“A Comprehensive List of Tips, Tools, and Examples for Event Organizers During the Coronavirus Outbreak” by David Spinks
“The Commonsense Guide to Coronavirus for Events and Conferences” by Brandon Rafalson
Periodic Table for High Concern Communication by Dr. Vincent Covello
33 Item Risk and Crisis Communication Checklist by Dr. Vincent Covello
Message Template: Message Development for Emergency Communication (Source: CDC CERC Manual)

Many national arts organizations have also compiled resources for artists and arts organizations:

National Endowment for the Arts – Resource Page
Americans for the Arts – Resource Page
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies – Resource Page
CERF+ – Resource Page
National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER) – Field Guide & Resource Page
Creative Capital – Resource Page
ArtPlace America – Resource Page

General Emergency Preparedness Plan & Disaster Response

Below are links to resources that we hope will assist you as you create an emergency preparedness plan and as you organize in the aftermath of a disaster.

MAC’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (PDF)

National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response Fact Sheet

National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response Essential Guidelines for Arts Responders Organizing in the Aftermath of Disaster

Crisis Communications Resources

In our increasingly connected world, it should come as no surprise that arts organizations, like all other entities, are vulnerable to public controversies and crises. Several arts partners have assembled helpful plans to guide arts organizations through these times without creating lasting damage.

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: Communicating about Arts Controversies (PDF)

Oklahoma Arts Council: Crisis Communications Planning

Other local, regional and national resources

Below are a few organizations that provide assistance and support for artists and arts organizations in times of disaster.