COVID-19 Resources for the Creative Industries
This resource page was developed by Colorado Creative Industries to provide industry-specific resources to the creative industries.
In Colorado and around the world, artists and arts and culture organizations have been hit hard by COVID-19, losing revenues due to canceled events and loss of sales, and facing reduced contributions indefinitely.
This page is a collaborative effort among Colorado cultural leaders to:
- provide a central hub of resources
- support artists and creative business and arts and culture organizations
- connect those who want to support our cultural community at this critical moment
For ways to help, donate and share the message visit Arts Through It All, a collaborative campaign to support Colorado’s arts and culture community.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance.
Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.
Applications will open on April 8, 2021.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program provides small businesses and nonprofits with low-interest loans that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing due to COVID-19.
CLIMBER Fund
The state and its partners launched the Colorado Loans for Increasing Mainstreet Business and Economic Recovery (CLIMBER). CLIMBER is a statewide loan fund that will provide up to $250 million in working capital to Colorado small businesses through 2023.
Lenders, CDFIs, credit unions, and nonprofit lenders can participate and provide loans for their small business customers needing financial assistance.
Small businesses with 5 to 99 employees that were financially stable before the pandemic but now need help to survive may apply for working capital loans between $30,000 and $500,000. Below-market interest rates and a 1-year deferred payment option make the program a secure recovery option for small businesses. Find a participating lender to start your application.
Colorado Community Revitalization Grant
The Colorado Community Revitalization Grant provides $65 million in gap funding for mixed use projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers. Pre-applications are now open.
Colorado Arts Relief Grant
The Colorado Arts Relief Grant provides $15.5 million for a second round of funding to support arts, cultural and entertainment artists, crew members, and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program already provided $7.5 million in early 2021 in its first round of funding. Applications will open in mid-August.
Meeting and Events Incentive
The Meeting and Events Incentive provides $10 million for a 10% cash rebate against eligible hard costs for hosting meetings and events in Colorado that take place on or after July 1, 2021 and on or before December 31, 2022.
American Rescue Plan Grants
The National Endowment for the Arts is offering American Rescue Plan Grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations and local art agencies. Organizations can use the funds in variety of ways while local art agencies must subgrant.
These opportunities are for artists and other creative businesses looking for funding.
Durango Creative Arts Loan Fund
Art Business Accelerator Grant
Arts Administrators of Color
Artist Relief Fund
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
Energize Colorado Gap Fund
Colorado Music Relief Fund
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency
The Americans for the Arts created two surveys for artists and creative businesses to assess the impact of COVID-19. Statewide and national resources for industry partners include:
Boulder County Arts Alliance
Support Colorado Springs
Artwork Archive - list of national financial relief funds
National Endowment for the Arts COVID-19 Resource Center
Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Resource Center
Creative Capital Arts COVID-19 Resource Center
ArtsReady
The Colorado COVID-19 website provides the latest reopening guidance. The COVID-19 dial dashboard helps people identify which counties are at what level of openness. We also created the Reopening Resources: Ideas from the field for Colorado Arts and Culture guide to provide more support.
The Small Business Navigator can direct you to resources and answer questions about COVID-19 specific funding. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hotline: (303) 860-5881
Email: oedit_sbnavigator@state.co.us