COVID-19 Impact on DSM Arts + Culture
Bravo Greater Des Moines is an organization that leverages local resources to elevate Greater Des Moines (DSM) with arts, culture and heritage at the center. Through strategic investing and cross-sector collaboration, Bravo strives to ensure DSM has a vibrant, healthy and diverse arts and cultural ecosystem.
The local arts and culture nonprofit sector (not including individual artists or for-profit creative businesses) annually contributes $185 million in economic impact to our region and supports 5,677 jobs (based on 2015 data). These jobs are, by their nature, hyper-local. The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on them will be far-reaching and undefined for some time to come.
Starting a business requires creativity. Solving a problem requires flexibility and innovation. Creating a welcoming community requires hospitality and understanding. These are the things the arts are uniquely positioned to teach, contribute to and support and the things our community will most need as we navigate what comes next. The resources listed below may be helpful to DSM cultural organizations as they look for ways to respond and plan for the future.
Arts Resources
Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and offers links for funding/grants, helpful webinars and other tools and resources. MORE INFO>
American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums has collected resources and information for the museum field, highlighting health in the workplace. Utilize their directory of resources, as well as guidance on communicating with your staff and the public. MORE INFO>
National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness & Emergency Response
The National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness & Emergency Response is another tool that can help arts and culture organizations during this time. Find updated resources for the current crisis, learn how to prepare from field experts and find related blog entries. MORE INFO>
You can count on The Partnership to continue to share accurate and fact-based updates as well. See more on COVID-19 here.
Sally Dix
Sally Dix is the executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, an organization that provides funding and leadership to the DSM arts, culture and heritage community.