Thursday, January 14, 2021

Weekly Advocacy Alert, January 14: Speak Up For the Arts!

By Dance/NYC

Over the past couple of weeks, we have witnessed the persistent manifestations of white supremacy at our Nation’s Capitol, in the Presidential Office, and across our democratic processes. The impact of these actions is consistently and disproportionately felt by Black, Indigenous, and peoples of color, disabled and immigrant people, the LGTQIA+ community, especially Trans people, and communities living in poverty. As we shared in our May Open Letter in Response to the Murders of Black People, these impacts are just as pervasive in our arts and cultural communities and the dance field — and it is our responsibility to act to uproot them.

As we continue to navigate these difficult waters, Dance/NYC’s focus remains the same: to investigate, identify, and undo the manifestations of white supremacy, ableism, xenophobia, and their interrelated forces of oppression in the dance sector and in doing so contribute to the work of generations of Black, Indigenous, POC, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and immigrant organizers who began and continue to lead it.

We will not relent in our mission to ensure that dance can thrive here, in New York City, and that its ecology is just for all who are a part of it.

It is with this resolve that we encourage you to review today's advocacy alert, as it outlines a series of resources and important actions you can take to join our efforts in building a thriving dance ecosystem as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and fight for the wellbeing of our sector.

Timely Actions You Can Take!

An image of a microphone in front of a blurred out crowded auditorium

1. Register to testify to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations on 1/19/21 at 10am. Written testimony can be submitted up to 72 hours after the hearing. The hearing is on the impact of COVID-19 on NYC artists and bills Int 2194-2020, Int 2195-2020.

2. The deadline for arts orgs & groups to request additional spaces for the Open Culture Program (beyond the currently designated open streets) is January 19th. Here is more information on Open Culture from Culture@3 Comms working group.

3. Sign on to a letter created by the League of Independent Theater to be submitted to State Senator Serrano to ask for a hearing on the reopening process moving forward for arts and culture in 2021.

SIGN ON

FEDERAL

1. The Small Business Administration is holding a webinar on Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (Otherwise known as Save our Stages) on Thursday, January 14 at 3:00PM. Register here.

2. The Small Business Administration released additional PPP guidance interpreting provisions of the new COVID relief law:

a. Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act (Released 1/6/2021)
b. Interim Final Rule on Second Draw Loans (Released 1/6/2021)
c. SBA Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran and Women-Owned Business Concerns (Released 1/6/2021)
d. Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp

3. Dr. Fauci Suggests Theaters Could Reopen ‘Some Time in the Fall’ during his conversation at APAP|NYC+ on January 9, and in this The New York Times article.

NEW YORK STATE

1. Governor Cuomo Outlines Plans to ‘Bring Arts and Culture Back to Life,’ The New York Times Reports.

2. Residential eviction moratorium extended until May 1, 2021. The State legislature also passed new protections for renters and homeowners.

3. Sign on in support of A11154 (Paulin), a bill to ensure the constitutionally protected personal and private data such as names, addresses and telephone numbers of those who contribute to 501(c)(3) nonprofits are protected from unnecessary disclosure, and remove the double-reporting obligation the the Department of State of organizations registered with the Charities Bureau.

SIGN ON

NEW YORK CITY

1. The NYC Department of Small Business Services created guidelines for Paycheck Protection Program preparation.

2. NYC COVID Rent Relief Extension Program is accepting applications through February 1, 2021.

3. Use Dance Rising’s advocacy template to introduce yourself to your elected officials and advocate for the Dance sector.

4. Dance/NYC has been working with Nonprofit New York and coalition partners advocating to raise the financial threshold as a part of the A Place at the Table campaign. The campaign seeks to reduce barriers for nonprofits to engage in legislative advocacy. We need your support! Nonprofits can sign on as a supporter of Int. 2148-2020 to let New York City know you support nonprofit advocacy. Share the campaign on social media using this tool kit.

SIGN ON HERE

5. New City Council Committee Chairs have been appointed.

6. COVID-19 Updates

a. New York plans to vaccinate 1M people in January, Politico reports. A new web application will help New Yorkers determine if they are eligible to get the vaccine. The statewide positivity rate was 7.72%.
b. State COVID zone restrictions remain in effect in certain parts of the city. To find out where the zones are and to see what restrictions apply to each zone, please visit www.nyc.gov/covidzone.
c. Download the COVID Alert NY app today!
d. Remember to follow the “core four”—wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home if you’re sick—and get tested! For information on free testing, personal protective equipment and more, visit the NYC Mayor's Office Coronavirus page.

7. Engaging in a community action in support of dance workers? Submit to be listed on the #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers Campaign Activations page. Visit the page for events, actions, and platforms that are independently led by the NYC dance community.

8. Dance/NYC hosts weekly dance field-wide calls to address our questions, needs, and plans for the future as a field. Calls are Thursdays from 4:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m. This week, Justin Lynch who is a dancer and lawyer will be speaking on artist visas during the pandemic. He was recently quoted in Dance Magazine. Register here.

9. For the ongoing Coronavirus Dance Impact Study, Dance/NYC is tracking studio & company temporary and permanent closures to gain a better understanding of the financial impact the pandemic is taking on the dance sector. This data will be used to better document this historic time and to be able to advocate for aid to policy makers. Please email any closures that you know of in the dance community to research@dance.nyc. You do not need to be in charge of the organization to send a notification as Dance/NYC works to compile a list of closures.