Reopening Conversation #3 with NH State Council on the Arts
New Hampshire-based arts and cultural organizations are connecting for conversations about reopening their venues and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Ginnie Lupi, director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, arts organization leaders from around the state are sharing how they’ve been reopening since lockdown ended and what new ideas they’ve come up with! In the video below, hear from arts leaders across the state.
Emergency Funding announced for performing arts venues in NH
Independent Artists - Apply for Unemployment
It is not too late!
The uncertainty of the times continues. New Hampshire is seeing an almost healthy tourist season so far this fall, but art tours and festivals are all on hold in our region. With the loss of income from sales, gigs, and other opportunities, we are hearing from a lot of independent artists that they’re not sure how to sustain.
We are currently encouraging artists to apply for unemployment. This will be especially important if we see an additional stimulus package that sends out extra support to those who have lost income. Individuals should be in the system to prevent last minute hassles, crashes, and missed opportunities. Here’s what to do:
SELF EMPLOYED ARTISTS & FURLOUGHED EMPLOYEES - FILE!
Self-employed are currently eligible for Unemployment Benefits. You will need either your 2019 federal tax return or 1099s. Don’t worry, if you don’t have either or have not yet filed your 2019 return. You can still submit your claim. If eligible you will receive the federal minimum benefit. Don’t worry, if you don’t have either or have not yet filed your 2019 return you can still submit your claim. If eligible, you will receive the federal minimum benefit. This may also make you eligible for any future federal stimulus program that enhances unemployment.
PART TIME OR A SURPRISE GIG/ BIT OF INCOME
You may be still eligible for unemployment benefits if you are working part time or if you receive a one time payment for a gig or a sale. Your work and earnings from your part time employment continue to need to be reported to the department on your weekly claim. The earnings will then be reviewed to determine whether you still qualify for an unemployment benefit for each week. We recommend you don’t let the automated system make these decisions for you - but that you follow up with a real person over the phone or over email to let them know the payment is part time or a one time source of income.
NH UNEMPLOYMENT HOTLINE
(603) 271-7700. The hours of operation for the hotline are currently the following: Monday- Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
START YOUR CLAIM
There is a 4-minute video with instructions, and also step by step written instructions with visual guides here: https://www.unemploymentbenefits.nh.gov/file-my-initial-claim
REMEMBER, BE PERSISTENT!
In the spring, the NH unemployment online system was not calibrated to handle self-employed claims. It would issue a rejection, but applicants would get a follow up email to request additional information and would then be approved. In the case that this has not been addressed, please be prepared to receive an inaccurate rejection, then follow up via phone or by instructions provided to you.
Reopening Conversation #2 with NH State Council on the Arts
New Hampshire-based arts and cultural organizations are connecting for conversations about reopening their venues and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Ginnie Lupi, director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, arts organization leaders from around the state are sharing how they’ve been reopening since lockdown ended and what new ideas they’ve come up with! In the video below, catch the Monadnock region’s own Reagan Messer, talking about the successes and community support MoCo has experienced in its journey to reopen.
Arts and Culture at Radically Rural Remote 2020
Watch videos of the 2020 Radically Rural Arts & Culture Track, featuring stories and experts from across the country who are on the leading edge of rural arts development. Speakers include: Chrissy Deal, Director, Social Responsibility & Inclusion of Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Lori Pourier, First Peoples Fund; Ron Ragin, Self-Employed, Artist, Consultant, Researcher, Coach; Erik Takeshita, Senior Fellow of ArtPlace America; Savannah Barrett, Exchange Director of Art of the Rural; Anthony Poore, director of NH Humanities; Barbara Shafer Bacon, Co-Director, Animating Democracy of Americans for the Arts; Rachel Balaban, Co-founder and co-director of Artists and Scientists as Partners; Catherine Stewart, Artistic Director of NH Theatre Project; HB Lozito, Executive Director of Out in the Open; Marianne Barthel, Director of the Arts Program at Dartmouth Hitchcock; Cynthia Cutting, director of Museum of the White Mountains; Amanda Whitworth, Founder Lead With Arts & Articine; Kate Beever, Owner/Music Therapist of Maine Music & Health; Eugene Uman, Director of Vermont Jazz Center; Craig Stockwell, Visiting Artist, Advisor- MFA for Lesley University
Reopening Conversation #1 with NH State Council on the Arts
New Hampshire-based arts and cultural organizations are connecting for conversations about reopening their venues and businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by Ginnie Lupi, director of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, arts organization leaders from around the state are sharing how they’ve been reopening since lockdown ended and what new ideas they’ve come up with!
Arts Spotlight - Stories from the Pandemic: Lyn Falcone's Mosaic Fiber Arts
These are unprecedented times and artists are finding strength in community and creativity. In this account, we hear from Lyn Merlone. Lyn is a textile artist and educator with a studio in Peterborough, NH. Her creative practice focuses on creating one of a kind wearable art and home decor. Hear her story, in her own words