City Express

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City’s Office of Arts & Culture teams up with local groups to support creatives during COVID-19 outbreak

Partnering with Atrium916 and other local creative groups, the Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture on April 9 co-hosted its second Creative Economy Community meeting, with a special focus on resources to help artists and others.

“We listened to our creative community and heard that even though there were so many COVID-19 resources available, it is challenging for individuals to find the right path for each of their unique situations,” said Ray Gargano, Office of Arts & Culture. “As we all work to navigate this new terrain, it’s important to know that we are all in this together and that our team is here to help.”

The most recent panel worked to provide clarity on current Federal, State and local disaster relief programs and to help individuals and organizations have a better understanding of their options.

“We will continue to help bring resources through these creative economy community meetings as long as they are needed,” said Dennis Mangers, Mayor Darrell Steinberg’s strategic adviser for arts and culture. “It’s vital for creative community leaders and stakeholders to come together to protect the future of arts and culture in Sacramento.”

The next creative economy meeting will talk about how some creatives and have pivoted, what lessons and advice they can offer and what job opportunities are becoming available to put food on the table. The virtual meeting will be on Thursday, April 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Sign up here.

Find the full video from the April 9 meeting here.

Below are five key takeaways from the panel:

    1. Keep yourself and your employees healthy by following CDC and Sacramento County Public Health guidelines.
    2. Practice patience and stay up-to-date on all programs as they are evolving and changing daily.
    3. Closely follow California EDD as it determines unemployment program details for independent contractors.
    4. Utilize local resources like the Rapid Response Business Triage Hotline to help lenders complete paperwork for various disaster relief efforts. Call 1-833-391-1919 Monday through Friday 8-4 p.m.
    5. Participate in Virtual Arts Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 15 to show lawmakers how important the creative economy is to Sacramento. Sign up to participate here.

Find general COVID-19 resources here.

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