Artist Care Act 2021
Committee Author: Michael Bishop
Preamble
Whereas the purpose of this bill is to create a promise that the United States of America will provide financial relief to struggling artists, arts organizations, including rent relief in addition to the regular unemployment benefits as a response to any present or future local, statewide, national and/or worldwide crisis that would prohibit artists from fully working in their field as well as in times of personal financial need.
Whereas in 2017 a study found that between the years of 2000-2015, the number of artists grew a staggering 17.4% in New York alone. In 2018 the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) released data that found that New York State's cultural industries generated $114.1 billion to New York's economy employing 462,584 individuals. At state level, the arts and culture sector accounted for 7.8% of the value added to the economy. This was more than retail, transportation, or construction. Broken down, motion pictures value at $28.15 billion, performing arts companies value at $3.8 billion, and individual artists, writers, and performers value at $3.2 billion. These numbers represent the wealth that the arts communities provide to the state of New York yet New York, in large part, treats the arts community and its artists as a financial burden while it continues to support industries that routinely underperform financially.
Whereas the advocacy group Americans For the Arts performed a study on 10,000 individual artists and found that of those 10,000 individuals 2/3rds were reporting unemployment due to Covid-19. Dancers Above Water (DAW), a Covid relief organization for artists, of which I am a committee member, has gathered data accumulated from three (3) cycles of helping artists during this Covid-19 pandemic. What we have found is the following:
We, (DAW), have distributed $40,000 in funds to 75 artists per the conclusion of the third cycle.
The two greatest needs for artists during this time were financial support for RENT, almost 100%, and for GROCERIES, 29% in cycle 1 (C1) 45% in C2, and 32% in (C3)
Of the artists we helped 45% reported unemployment in C1. This percentage increased to 58% in C2 for an average of $245.15 per week and jumped to 71% in (C3)
The overall percentage of job loss was 71% in C1, 50% in C2 and spiked back up to 68.8% in (C3)
Only asking the people to whom we awarded funds, we asked who would be able to stay in New York if things were to continue as they are. In C1 we found that 53.8% were unsure if they could stay while 23.1% said they would not be able to stay and 23.1% said they would be able to stay. In C2 54.5% were unsure if they would stay while 27.3% said they would not be able to stay and 18.2% said they would be able to stay. For (C3) these numbers are not yet provided as we have not finished the cycle yet and asked this question to the applicants.
Whereas this information showcases the severity of the effects this pandemic has had on the arts community and its individual artists coupled with the lack of support that has been provided by the government at large. How can we rectify this? Firstly we should establish a Department of Arts and Culture within the governing body and appoint a prominent member of the arts community as the president of that government agency. How can this be accomplished?
There is already an existing organization labeled The US Department of Arts and Culture (USDAC). What we can do is restructure this organization to operate on a more national level to affect a larger body of artists. This means providing it the proper government clearances to operate as the liaison between the government and arts communities.
We can then promote a prominent member of the arts community as director of this new government agency to sit alongside the already existing chair.
This agency will be allowed to sit in on financial briefings for different industries at a government level to speak for the needs of the arts community as it pertains to financial support, cultural importance and impact, and industry growth.
This agency will have oversight on all arts and culture-related issues including but not limited to grants, relief bills, residencies, artist housing, union affiliations, donation givings, and arts organization policies.
Whereas once we establish this new government agency, we need to allocate a portion of government funds to the Artist Care Act specifically for the use of crisis/financial relief and Arts and Culture support. The duty of this bill will be as follows:
Create an eligibility program in which the artist/organization applies for the Artist Care Act grant through the newly government-appointed Department of Arts and Culture Agency so that we can monitor and keep track of how funds are being used and how much is awarded.
To provide emergency relief packages to individual artists during citywide, statewide, nationwide, and/or worldwide crises that include mental and physical medical provisions, grocery stipends, and rent relief.
To oversee financial transactions/grant dispersals to individual artists/arts organizations for the purpose of financial support during crisis and/or financial difficulty
These transactions are to be monitored by the oversight committee of the new Department of Art and Culture agency.
To provide financial relief to individual artists suffering hardship due to lack of finances both crisis and non-crisis related.
To provide financial support to arts organizations suffering hardship due to lack of finances both crisis and noncrisis related.
To oversee the distribution of grants to individual artists and small arts organizations ensuring fair, equal, and equitable opportunities are given regarding access to info, equipment, and means necessary to apply for/receive funding.
Determination of amount based on the criteria set.
To oversee the distribution of funds given the average cost of living
Whereas in doing these things we will see to it that the arts communities are properly looked after in their time of need, that their voices are heard and they’re properly represented within the chambers of government. Moving forward we need a shift in thinking as it pertains to the arts, artist workers, and the value placed on us in our society. This bill, along with others, will see to it that this shift not only happens but becomes solidified in the fabric of our democracy.