Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

Gig Workers – Navigate the MA Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Application – VLA

The Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is LIVE!

(via the Arts and Business Council newsletter)

Screenshot of the VLA PUA newsletter

“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits, including self-employed workers.

“Currently, the system can only pay benefits retroactively to the week ending March 14, 2020. Eligible workers will be able to certify for and to request benefits retroactively to January 27, 2020 if their dates of unemployment make them eligible.“

Check the continually updated unemployment guide for self-employed individuals (pdf). (more…)

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Webinar @3pm Today – HOW THE CARES ACT SUPPORTS THE ARTS SECTOR

April 8, 2020 at 3:00 PM EST
How the CARES Act Supports the Arts Sector

Registration required (free).

(via the Americans for the Arts ArtsU website)

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 $2.3 trillion of funds, there are several sections of the legislation that can directly, and indirectly support artists, arts organizations, and small businesses in the creative economy.

Speakers:

  • Robert L Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
  • Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs & Executive Director, Americans for the Arts Action Fund
  • Narric Rome, Vice President of Government and Affairs and Arts Education
  • Peter Gordon, Director of Federal Affairs
  • Lauren Cohen, Government Affairs and Grassroots Manager
  • Sarah M. Mercer, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
  • Sonia Church Vermeys, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
  • Steve Taylor, Senior Vice President and Counsel for Public Policy, United Way Worldwide

(more…)

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Take Action to Support the Creative Community during COVID-19!

According to the Mass Cultural Council’s survey of artists and non-profits:

In just under a week, the Commonwealth’s nonprofit cultural organizations reported a loss of more than $55.7M in revenue. This is not a projection; this is actual lost income reported to date.

In that same week, individual artists and independent teaching artists-humanists-scientists reported a total of more than $2.89M in lost personal income,  according to the real data of the survey.

[sexybutton size=”large” color=”blue” target=”_blank” url=”https://www.votervoice.net/MAARTS/campaigns/73005/respond” icon=”noicon”]Take Action: Support the Creative Community
during COVID-19[/sexybutton]

(more…)

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