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Welcome to Artist Alley,
Washington County Arts Council's electronic newsletter. We hope this publication will engage you with the arts in your community.
WCAC welcomes your ideas and support as it continues to take the lead in bringing together the community's art organizations to strengthen our region's arts culture.
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Artists and Arts Organizations can find up-to-date information and emergency resources at:
The Washington County Chamber, of Commerce has dedicated it our homepage and various sections of its website to supporting local business and to provide the community with resources and additional information at
www.hagerstown.org/strongtogether.
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In support of Maryland’s efforts to limit social contact and following Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan’s directives, the April 2020 exhibits and opening reception at the Washington County Arts Council for “Circumspect” and “Fault Lines” will be rescheduled.
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5-Minute Survey:

The Economic Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Arts and Cultural Sector
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Classes at USMH to be taught online for remainder of spring semester; graduation celebration cancelled
Following guidance from the University System of Maryland (USM), Governor Larry Hogan, and the federal government, all USM institutions have made a collective decision to deliver undergraduate classes in a distance format for the remainder of the spring semester. This includes classes taught by the five universities offering classes at USMH: Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Towson University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and University of Maryland Global Campus. Graduate programs require different considerations and the universities are working through those now.
Further, all USM universities have decided that they will not hold in-person commencement ceremonies. Some institutions may individually decide to hold alternative or virtual celebrations. In following this decision, USMH will not hold its annual graduation celebration.
In addition, all face-to-face events, both organized by USMH and sponsored by one of its partner universities, have been cancelled for the remainder of the spring semester.
USMH will remain administratively operational, even as the exterior doors are locked. Student services will be provided via telework through the spring semester, and until further notice. The buildings are not open to students or faculty in order to be consistent with the 10-person rule and the spirit of the Governor Hogan's remarks.
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Please join our advocacy partners, Americans for the Arts, and help us advocate for emergency fudging relief for the nonprofit arts industry. Information and a direct action link can be found below:
The coronavirus has already had a devastating economic impact on America’s nonprofit arts sector—financial losses to date are estimated to be $3.2 billion. Since the first U.S. case was reported on January 20, cancellations and closings have been reported in thousands of communities spanning all 50 states. In order to support the sector at this vital time,
request that your members of Congress
include $4 billion—to be distributed though the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)—
to help offset the losses of the nonprofit arts industry, and expand eligibility through additional federal programs to ensure artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the creative economy can utilize business interruption relief.
In a national survey by Americans for the Arts, 91% of responding arts organizations indicated that they have cancelled one or more events. Many arts organizations have closed their doors for months to come. More than one-third of respondents expect to make reductions in staff; 26% have already reduced their creative workforce. These estimates are based on more than 3,000 respondents to an Americans for the Arts nationwide COVID-19 impact survey, and then further extrapolation of those data nationally using IRS data about nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. The survey is ongoing, and these figures will be updated regularly. Given that losses documented in the survey have occurred only in the last two months, Americans for the Arts anticipates additional billions in potential revenue losses for the nonprofit arts and culture field.
Join us in calling on Congress TODAY to designate a minimum of
$4 billion—to be distributed through the National Endowment for the Arts—to help offset losses in the nonprofit arts industry and expand eligibility through additional federal programs to ensure artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in the creative economy can utilize business interruption relief.
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Message from the Maryland State Arts Council
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A Message from the
Maryland Department of Commerce
Dear Valued Members of Maryland’s Business Community,
If your business does not fit into one of the categories for closing in the executive order, there is nothing saying that you are required to close, but we strongly recommend that you use your best judgement and consider the possible impact on your employees and customers if you stay open. Public utility, such as the need to provide food or essential supplies, must be balanced with the need to preserve public health.
If you remain open, it is critical that you follow
social distancing guidelines and do everything in your power to prevent groups of 10 or more people from congregating in one area. If your business is not covered in Governor Hogan’s executive order, please use it as guidance.
Businesses with
10 or more people that are not included in the executive order are not required to close, but we need your help to prevent the virus from spreading. This may require you to make difficult choices. Guidance from the CDC for businesses is available
here.
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Message from the Maryland State Arts Council
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MSAC COVID-19 State of Emergency Statement & Resources
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We are currently developing criteria for the possibility of emergency grants for FY21. Once the application process is in place, we will make a public announcement. Our priority is to make sure that all of our arts partners experience as little negative impact as possible during this state of emergency. Please be patient and trust that we are going to work with you for solutions. To learn more about participating in our upcoming public Listening Sessions, please visit our
website
.
All members of the Maryland Arts Sector are being asked to complete this survey on the economic impact of COVID-19:
(MSAC will distribute an additional Maryland-specific survey at a later date and will request an immediate response at that time)
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See below for various resource lists, FAQ’s and information that are being compiled by various organizations. This information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. The state of Maryland disclaims liability for any errors or omissions.
Maryland Government Resources
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Message from Maryland Citizens for the Arts
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Dear Arts Community,
As we all deal with closely monitoring the COVID-19(coronavirus) outbreak, MCA is following federal and state efforts that will benefit our communities. We will update everyone when we have information to share from state and national arts partners like the Maryland State Arts Council, Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. MCA staff have also taken the precaution of working remotely and will be accessible via email.
In the next few days we will work to share valuable resources via social media and email. We also hope these links and resources below provide help and guidance during this time:
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Resources for Independent Artists:
Freelance Artist Resources
Art Funding
Medical Support
Resource and Response Center
NEA FAQs
Resources for Arts Organizations:
Events Updates and Public Announcements
Baltimore Resources
Performing Arts Readiness
General Resources for Arts Sector
Resource and Response
NEA FAQs
Government Resources:
Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Public School System Guidelines
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Final Thoughts in Support of Our Arts Community:
• If you have tickets to any type of art event that has been canceled or postponed, please consider asking the artists & curators about ways you can support them in lieu of an event ticket refund.
• If an arts organization, arts business, creative entrepreneur has temporarily closed, please consider donating or sharing resources in support of their team and the community they serve.
• If you have a current contract with an artist and the project has paused, please remember that many artists work gig-to-gig and consider how to ensure that payments continue in a timely way especially during this time period.
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Message from Maryland Commerce Department
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A Letter From Secretary Schulz
March 19, 2020
COVID-19 : Critical Updates & SBA Loan Approval
Dear Partners and Valued Members of Maryland’s Business Community,
We understand these are difficult times, and we at the Maryland Department of Commerce are here to provide some guidance for businesses across the state.
This morning,
Governor Hogan announced that as of today at 5PM, enclosed malls should close pedestrian concourses and other common areas, including food courts and retail stores only accessible from inside the enclosed shopping center. This does not require stores to close that are attached to malls and directly accessible from the outside.
Today's announcement also impacts recreational establishments across the state, including bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, and amusement parks. Please read the
executive order for more information.
These closures are in addition to those previously announced by the Governor, including all bars, restaurants, and other similar establishments that sell food or beverages for consumption on site; all Maryland
casinos, racetracks, and simulcast betting facilities; as well as all fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, aquatic centers, and self-defense schools. This does not include
hair salons, barber shops, funeral homes, or food trucks. Drive-thru, carry-out, and delivery services will also continue.
If a business does not fit into one of the categories for closing in the executive order, there is nothing saying that they are required to close, but we strongly recommend that everyone use their best judgement and consider the possible impact on employees and customers if remaining open. Public utility, such as the need to provide food or essential supplies, must be balanced with the need to preserve public health.
If a business remains open, it is critical that they follow
social distancing guidelines and do everything in their power to prevent groups of 10 or more people from congregating in one area. If a business is not covered in one of Governor Hogan’s executive orders, please use it as guidance.
Businesses with 10 or more people that are not included in the executive order are not required to close, but we need everyone's help to prevent the virus from spreading. This may require you to make difficult choices. Guidance from the CDC for businesses is available
here.
It is essential that you continue to check our
Coronavirus Information for Businesses webpage for the latest information and guidance. This site will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. It includes an
FAQ that will also be updated regularly.
Thank you,
Kelly
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A Letter From Secretary Schulz
COVID-19 : Business Resource Webpage Launches Today
Dear Valued Members of Maryland’s Business Community,
Today, the Maryland Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Labor, the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, and several other state agencies launched a
new webpage
dedicated to business resources during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The webpage, available on the Maryland Business Express portal, features several resources available for business throughout the state, including guidelines for employers, fair labor standards, information on insurance claims, opportunities for financial assistance, tax questions, and more.
We are working diligently to help keep businesses informed as updates are available. Do not hesitate to reach out to us with additional questions at
Secretary.Commerce@maryland.gov
.
Thank you,
-Kelly
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US Small Business Administration
The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters. The Hogan Administration and the Commerce Department are applying for the
U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Application requires the Governor to request an SBA Economic Injury Declaration by certifying at least five (5) businesses in the disaster area suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the incident. SBA will be working through the governors' office for each of the states to determine the amount of disruption by area before loans will be available to businesses in those impacted areas.
Provide Economic Injury Information to help with obtaining Maryland’s Declaration
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SBA Disaster Relief Loans Now Available for Hagerstown Businesses
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The City of Hagerstown and Washington County are now approved for US Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Loans
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Please also email us if you are interested in applying for a loan so we are aware of your application:
DCED@hagerstownmd.org
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US Small Business Administration
The SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters. The Hogan Administration and the Commerce Department are applying for the
U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Application requires the Governor to request an SBA Economic Injury Declaration by certifying at least five (5) businesses in the disaster area suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the incident. SBA will be working through the governors' office for each of the states to determine the amount of disruption by area before loans will be available to businesses in those impacted areas.
Provide Economic Injury Information to help with obtaining Maryland’s Declaration
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City of Hagerstown Department
of Community & Economic Development
Contacts:
Doug Reaser, Business Development Specialist
301-797-6409
Kaitlin Bell, Economic Development Specialist
301-797-6294
Jill Thompson, Director of Community & Economic Development
301-797-6190
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Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
– a program of US-SBA
Herb Melrath, SBDC at Frostburg State University
100 W. Washington Street, Suite 1401 Hagerstown, MD
888-237-9007 ext. 4
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During this time of uncertainty, the Washington County Arts Council will continue to respond to emails and share information about community events, educational opportunities along with Maryland State Arts Council and Maryland Citizen for the Arts updates through its
FACEBOOK
page.
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Please specify
- Organization
- Program
- Dates
- Brief Description
- Location
- Ticket price
- Contact information
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The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development.
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The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of
County Arts Agencies of Maryland,
Maryland Citizens for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts
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The WCAC facility is wheelchair accessible!
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Thank you for providing your email address to the
Washington County Arts Council. Your information was obtained from
at least one of the following methods: signing our guest book,
becoming a member, donating, entering a contest, or exhibiting with us.
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You may text
WCAC
to
22828
on your mobile device
to join our mailing list or
click the button below - Thank you!
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