To better tell the story of the importance of non-profits in our community, COCA, INIE, and UPHS are sharing short animated graphics and copy on our social media accounts beginning Monday, March 1, with a new graphic and message every week.

You may follow along with our timeline if you wish for a coordinated approach. Please download it all here - or follow along on our Facebook page and other social media accounts to share. (Thanks to Sachs Media for the toolkit!)

As part of the efforts taking shape at the National level, United Partners for Human Services (UPHS) has signed on to the National Council of Nonprofits’ COVID Relief Letter (with 3,000+ others) to lawmakers prioritizing expanded access to forgivable loans, extended and increased charitable giving incentives, as well as the substantial financial aid to state and local governments. Click here to read, sign, and forward the letter to others.

Highlights include:

Read the newsletter here.

Local marketing and communications firm ESPMedia has partnered with the Zimmerman Agency and Visit Tallahassee to spotlight local artists of color to uplift their work and their stories. If you would like to submit photos, background information, and other completed projects for consideration, please contact Project Coordinator Jalicia Lewis at jalica@espmedia.net. More info here.

The arts and culture sector remains in crisis and everyone is needed at the table to make a difference. The National Arts Action Summit will equip advocates to share data and authentic stories about the impact of the arts in their communities to educate federal decision-makers about why supporting the arts and culture sector is essential. More info here.

Florida’s reputation as the world’s premier vacation destination would not be possible without the vision and dedication of a select group of tourism industry superstars. These individuals are honored by Visit Florida with induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. Qualified nominees are contemporary or historic figures whose work & achievements have made a significant impact on the state’s economy and residents. More info here.

Updated 1/6/21 - Find a list of Venue Re-Opening guides from various organizations, including the Performing Arts Center Consortium, the Event Safety Alliance, The League of American Historic Theatre Venues, The International Association of Venue Managers, and more here.

Click here to see Tweetspeak Poetry's list of the top 10 poetry sites to follow for National Poetry Month, including Poetic Earth Month, American Life in Poetry, From the Fishouse, and more.

Keep up the good work wearing your masks, following social distancing protocols, and help the arts get back in business by getting your shot when you are able to do so. If you have gotten your COVID shot and want to share a photo with COCA, email it to info@tallahasseearts.org and tell us why you are getting your shot.

For more information on getting vaccinated, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Leon County or visit: http://leon.floridahealth.gov/.

The PPP portal closes March 31, 2021. The SVOG application portal is unlikely to open before March 31, so organizations must choose between PPP and SVOG funding. Please feel free to reach out to COCA to discuss options.

President Biden has announced program changes to prioritize the smallest of small businesses.

More info on these resource updates here.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established by The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020.

Note: On January 20, 2021, SBA updated the proposed plan for issuing Shuttered Venue Operators Grants during the first and second priority periods. To clarify, priority awardees will not need to satisfy the small employer set-aside. During the first 59 days of opening the SVO Grants, SBA will reserve no less than $2 billion of program funding for grants to entities that have no more than 50 employees. Please click the link to determine your priority period.

Updated 3/9/21: Organizations CAN apply for both PPP and SVOG, a reversal of previous policy. According to Americans for the Arts, SBA can simply reduce the amount of an SVOG award by the amount of the 2021 PPP loan for a net SVOG award.

The official exclusive application period for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees has passed, BUT it is SBA’s current intention to continue to prioritize the processing of small business application through March 31, 2021. PPP applications must be submitted by March 31, as the portal will close.

More info here.

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is part of the December 27, 2020 Supplemental COVID-19 relief bill signed by Congress:

Please feel free to contact COCA with any questions at info@tallahasseearts.org. More info here.

Annuity Freedom endeavors to support artists given the impact of Covid-19 on the arts. This grant has two parts: 1) marketing support through analysis and recommendations aimed at driving more traffic to artists’ websites, and 2) a $100 micro-grant awarded to one applicant per month. More info here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s small businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with fewer than 20 employees or are self-employed, there is new information for you. Click here to see the schedule for individual webinar slots.

Bonus PPP Update: Sole proprietors, gig workers, and independent contractors are now eligible for an increased loan thanks to recent changes enacted by President Biden. Effective March 3, any individual yet to be approved for a PPP loan in 2021 is now eligible to qualify for a larger loan amounted calculated from his or her gross income in 2019 or 2020. Previously, PPP loans for individuals were limited by a calculation based on net income.

The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture’s 2021 Actos de Confianza relief effort will expand to support Latinx artists and arts organizations who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. NALAC will distribute $2,500 grants to Latinx artists and cultural workers and $5,000 grants to Latinx arts organizations facing critical financial emergencies. More info here.

Cross-Sector Impact Grants – Letter of Interest Deadline: March 22, 2021

Presentation Grants – Deadline: May 3, 2021

Jazz Road Tours Grants Program – No deadline, accepts applications on a rolling basis

Express Grants Program – No deadline, accepts applications on a rolling basis

Professional Development and Artistic Planning Grants Program – No deadline, accepts applications on a rolling basis

More info here.

The Hopper Prize is now accepting entries for their Spring 2021 artist grants. They are offering 2 grants in the amount of $3,500 and 4 grants in the amount of $1,000. Grants will be awarded through an open call art competition juried by leading contemporary curators. More info here.

Research Awards – Next Deadline: March 29 (Preliminary SAM registration due by March 8, Grants.gov registration due by March 19)

Challenge America – Deadline: April 22 (Preliminary SAM registration due by March 30, Grants.gov registration due by April 13)

Grants for Arts Projects – Deadline: July 8, 2021

Our Town – Deadline: August 6

More info here.

The USArtists International program (USAI) from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (MAAF) supports performances by U.S. artists at impactful international festivals and performing arts marketplaces outside the U.S. The application deadline is March 31 for projects taking place between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. More info here.

General Program Support - Application available: April 1. Next deadline: June 1 at 5 PM

Specific Cultural Projects - Application available: April 1, Next deadline: June 1 at 5 PM

Cultural Facilities - Application available: April 1. Next deadline: June 1 at 5 PM

Fast Track Project - Next deadline: September 1

More info here.

The Grants Manager performs advanced-level professional work to ensure alignment with COCA’s grant programs and overall mission and goals. Special focus of this full-time position includes converting to an automated application process and strengthening administrative practices. An ideal candidate for this position will be detail-oriented, service-focused, tech-savvy, community-minded, and enjoy working in a creative, unique, and collaborative environment. More info here.

Gadsden Arts seeks a versatile, creative thinker who is interested in exposing campers to a variety of art mediums and art styles. The ideal candidate has experience teaching art to children and is interested in creating a fun, welcoming, and flexible learning environment for young artists of all backgrounds and skill levels. More info here.

TheatreWorks Florida is now accepting applications for a Program Director for CultureWorks. They are seeking a skilled leader who is passionate about diversity, inclusion and equity in the theatre arts, who also believes that building inclusive cultures and creating career opportunities to advance diverse artists and professionals is essential for the industry. More info here.

This year-long program is an extension of the main Leadership Tallahassee program for adults, bringing together a diverse group of high school juniors from public & private schools in Tallahassee who have demonstrated leadership potential in formal & informal situations, and preparing them to become ethical leaders committed to active community involvement. More info here.

March 11 - Virtual Board Recruitment Mixer, 5:30-7 PM

March 23 - Executive Director Round Table: Re-imagining our Nonprofits to Survive the Crisis facilitated by BJ Iacino, Epilepsy Agency, 1-2 PM

More info here.

"Mix and Mingle" on Zoom with Nonprofit Organizations that are seeking new board members. Participants will be placed in breakout rooms with nonprofit leaders to learn more about the organization and ask questions. In addition to the presentations and breakout rooms, this free mixer will include live entertainment and online photo contest. More info here.

The Request for Applications from communities is now open. Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design will offer four local Design Workshops that address specific community challenges, and an online Design Learning Cohort program that will allow up to 15 communities. More info here.

Join Domi Station and HubSpot for Entrepreneurs for their event, “Building a High-Performance Sales Team”. The event will feature Jose Martins, who will share insights into how HubSpot recruits, onboards, trains, and measures sales teams to keep beating their targets and performance metrics. More info here.

Join Domi Station and Grow With Google for this free webinar, where you will earn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. More info here.

The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official tourism marketing organization for Tallahassee and Leon County Florida, promoting tourism to the area through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports, film, product development and visitor services. A partnership with Visit Tallahassee offers you opportunities for promoting your business or event in one of Southern Living’s Top 10 Cities in the South. Building strong relationships within the community helps Visit Tallahassee to achieve their mission – to enhance the region’s economic growth and quality of life by collaboratively inspiring the vitality of Tallahassee’s visitor economy. More info here.

If you're planning any type of event, be sure to post it on the Tallahassee Arts Guide - COCA's official interactive web calendar for arts and culture. 

"Behind the Scenes with COCA" photo albums showcase artists at work in their studios. We love to see the creative process and learn more about how our artists of all genres make their artistic magic happen. Enjoy these social media albums below, and submit your own album here.

View artist studio "Behind the Scenes with COCA" albums here.

COCA has created several RESOURCE GUIDES that aggregate ongoing and similar listings by subject. These can also be found on the sidebar of the COCA Classifieds webpage.

Want to expand your target audience? USA Dance has marketed their Florida Sunshine Dance & Symposium to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Alabama and is calling for vendors. Set up and break down will be on Sat., June 19 at the Days Inn & Conference Center. This is a dancing event with an anticipated group of 200+. More info here.

COCA’s Board of Directors currently has an opening for a finance seat (City appointment). If you’re interested in serving, applications will be accepted through May 31, 2021. COCA’s Board represents a diverse wealth of knowledge and includes citizens with expertise in the following areas: finance, marketing, volunteerism, history/heritage, practicing artist, tourism, and business. The COCA Board typically meets five times each year with occasional additional special meetings scheduled. More info here.

The 2021 National Prize Show from the Cambridge Art Association will be presented as two (2) in-person exhibits in their Kathryn Schultz Gallery. The entirety of the exhibit will be featured online – and for sale- on CAA’s website for the duration of the exhibition timeline. This call is open to all artists 18 years and older in the US. More info here.

Florida State University Autism Institute and Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FSU CARD) partners with the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library and Arts4All Florida to present “Artists and Autism: How I See the World,” a virtual exhibition featuring works of art by people with autism and related disabilities. Individuals of all ages with autism and related disabilities throughout the Big Bend Region and the Panhandle of Florida are invited to submit art for this exhibition. More info here.

The Pines & Palms Photography Contest and Virtual Show, hosted by Alan Ross, Dan Burkholder, and Elizabeth Opalenik will take place from March 30 to May 30. Work must be submitted between March 6 and March 17 to their website, and prizes will be announced April 1. You do not have to be a member to enter and photos will be accepted until they have 100 photos entered. The entry fee is $20 per entry. More info here.

Creative Tallahassee, presented by the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA), is an annual, fine art exhibition showcasing talented artists of the Big Bend area. Artwork must be original, current and not previously shown in a COCA exhibition. All media, 2D or 3D, is accepted including fine art, craft and photography, but excluding video and performance art. This exhibition will be on display in the main City Hall Art Gallery. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this exhibit will also be presented in COCA’s online, digital gallery. More info here.

The Wiregrass Gallery in downtown Thomasville, Georgia is re-opening at 130 N. Jackson Street. This is a prime time to join this artist-owned cooperative featuring paintings, jewelry, textiles, photography, prints, pottery, stained and fused glass, woodworks and other creative arts. The application is available on their website, or can be obtained from their membership chair by emailing a request for an application. More info here.

6x6x2021 is made of thousands of original artworks, made and donated by celebrities, international & local artists, designers, youth and you. Each artist may enter up to three artworks of any medium (2D or 3D). Artworks must be six inches square and signed only on the back, to be exhibited anonymously. Participation is free. All artworks will be exhibited and for sale to the public for $20 each to benefit RoCo. More info here.

New York Art Competitions are pleased to announce the opening of the 3rd Latin American Contemporary Fine Art Competition. Fine artists from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal, the Latin American diaspora, and artists residing in any of the above, are invited to submit their works for a chance to be selected for promotional awards designed to boost their careers. More info here.

Thomasville Center for the Arts is now taking submissions for their annual THOM Collective Exhibition. You must be an active THOM Collective member to participate. This year, they are thrilled to host their Thom Collective juried exhibition both online and in their Main Gallery at 600 E. Washington St., Thomasville, GA. More info here.

USA Dance is hosting a 2-day event, to include a live (in-person) Dance Talent Show. COVID guidelines will be enforced. Awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners. More info here.

Artwork is sought for a new building on the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) campus. The intent is that this artwork will reflect the mission and focus of this new facility. The Water School is founded in a holistic approach that focuses on the environmental sciences but also draws in the social sciences, health sciences, business and engineering. More info here.

Throughout the month of March, submit your poem, short story memoir, or zine to be considered for a printed publication that will be added to the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library collection. More info about submission requirements here.

Sunspot Lit is launching Geminga: $500 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art to honor the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Visual art entries should be paintings, drawings, or sketches no larger than 25 inches square. Sculptural forms should be no larger than 25 inches in any dimension. Entry fee is $6, and the prize is $500 and publication for the winner. More info here.

The Write Contest and Community is now accepting entries for their Short Story contest. Writers of any kind are welcome to enter. Early Registration ($25) ends April 1st and Registration ($35) ends April 22nd. In the Short Story Contest you are given a genre, a character prompt, and a location prompt. You write the best story you can, within the word count given. Story Criteria will be sent via e-mail to all registered contestants, who will then have 48 hours to complete and upload their story. More info here.

The Write Contest and Community is designed to hold space for creative expression. Their purpose is to provide a safe foundation for curiosity to grow and develop. More info about The Write Contest and Community and other writing contests here.

Since launching in January of 2019, Sunspot Literary Journal has amplified diverse multinational voices from around the world. New works have been published in their original language side-by-side with English translations. Visit their website to see Sunspot's calls to writers and artists. More info here.

The 621 Literary Reading Salon is a space for writers at every stage of their journey to gather, share, and connect. The Salon is hosted by 621 Gallery in Railroad Square on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm. They are always looking for new authors and audience members to strengthen Tallahassee’s writing community. Submissions are due a week prior to the Salon. More info here.

Searching for an agent? Poets & Writers is here to help. A collection of articles edited by the staff of Poets & Writers Magazine, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents includes straightforward advice from professionals in the literary field and additional resources with insider tips. More info here.

Click here to submit information for the weekly COCA Classifieds email. Deadline for submission is 5:00 pm on the Wednesday of each week. COCA reserves the right to include or exclude any listing at its discretion and to determine the content and placement of all listings. Items may be listed for a maximum of two editions.

COCA does not endorse any artists, organizations, or programs listed herein, nor imply stature through their inclusion in this newsletter. While we have made every effort to ensure that this information is correct, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information.