Resources for collaborative artists during Covid 19

This is a challenging time for artists and communities alike. As the national development agency for collaborative arts we are taking steps to ensure we continue to offer supports. Here is some information and resources for artists.

Resources/ Information:

The Arts Council

The Arts Council has announced that they will honour funding commitments made to those funded under Strategic Funding, Arts Centre Funding, Arts Grant Funding and Festival Investment Scheme Round One.

Update 8th April 2020: The board of the Arts Council have shared an open letter outlining their response to Covid 19, and announced the Covid 19 Crisis Response Award. The purpose of the award is to support the creation and dissemination of new artistic work either online, by broadcast or other virtual means, for the public benefit. The award is open to any individual who can demonstrate a track record of professional practice as an artist, regardless of whether they are currently registered with the Arts Council, or whether they have ever applied for and/or received Arts Council funding in the past. The maximum award is €3,000, and the closing date is the 16th April 2020.

Update 12th may 2020: The Arts Council continue to update their website in relation to Covid 19.

Artist in the Community Scheme Changes in response to Covid 19

#CovidCreatives 

A set of curated mostly free & open source resources to support creative practitioners (artists, makers, curators, designers, hackers, educators, facilitators, etc) who need to migrate their practice onto digital places & spaces, and don’t have time to mess around.

Movement Building from Home: Community Calls

Mizilla Foundation have launched a new series of community calls meant to help support the continuity of your activism, community, and work during the COVID-19 global health crisis. Whilst all the calls have already taken place at time of publishing, recvordings of each are available at the above link.

Job Seekers Allowance for Artists

In order to qualify for the scheme, professional artists must apply for and satisfy the qualifying conditions for Jobseeker’s Allowance including a means test. They must be unemployed, capable of, available for and actively seeking work. Applicants are also required to provide a certificate from their professional body as to their status as a professional artist

COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

New payment available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The payment has a simple one–page application form and will be paid for a period of 6 weeks. It is designed to quickly deliver a social welfare payment to the unemployed and provide income security during this 6-week period.

Update March 24th: The government has made the decision to increase the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment from €203 to €350 per week. If you are already in receipt of the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you will receive the increase payment on your next payment date.

Information on Illness Benefit

If you have been forced to self-isolate due to #COVID19 you are entitled to illness benefit. No minimum PRSI contributions are required; so this applies to freelance, sole traders etc. Medical certification is required to say that it is Covid related.

Update March 24th: The Illness Benefit for COVID-19 absences has been increased to €350 to bring it in line with the payment under the emergency Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment. This is to encourage self-isolation and is in line with the payments for people who have lost employment. The payment is available for 12 weeks.

Additional Useful Links

• Health Service Executive (HSE)
• HSE Covid 19 Translated Resources 
• Health Protection Surveillance Centre
• Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Advice
• World Health Organisation
• Gov.ie
• Wheel.ie
• Irish Refugee Council
• Migrant & Refugee Rights (NASC)

We will continue to post relevant information and online resources for artists and community stakeholders. We are available for one to one mentoring and advisory sessions as normal or if you just want to get in touch, please do on 01 4736600 or by email. Visit our staff page for contact details for each member of the Create team.