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The Photo Industry During COVID-19, Coronavirus Outbreak

Mon 16th Mar, 2020

American Photographic Artists (APA) is an association of photographers for photographers.

We will get through this turbulent time by helping each other with information and resources. If you have questions or ideas you would like to share, please email Juliette Wolf-Robin, National Executive Director.

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APA Online Discussions

APA’s weekly Open Talk provides an online community to share information and aide one-another. Check our Events page.


CARES Act

Information about The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

The U.S. Senate has provided a Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act.

News Media Alliance: Guide to The CARES Act.

From the Office of Congressmember Karen Bass (in Los Angeles): COVID-19 Relief Information.

National Writers Union: CARES Act Assistance for Freelancers.

UPrinting: Outline of Stimulus Package.


PUA / PUC

Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC): A temporary boost to unemployment compensation.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides emergency unemployment assistance to workers who are left out of regular state UI or who have exhausted their state UI benefits (including any Extended Benefits that might become available in the future).

Up to 39 weeks of PUA are available to workers who are immediately eligible to receive PUA. The program will expire on December 31, 2020, unless otherwise extended.

Importantly, this program will provide income support to many workers who are shut out of the state UI systems in this country. In fact, workers who are eligible for state UI are not eligible for the PUA program. Those eligible for PUA include self-employed workers, including independent contractors, freelancers, workers seeking part-time work, and workers who do not have a long-enough work history to qualify for state UI benefits.

EDD Program in California begins April 28 https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm


SBA & PPP

Small Business Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We suggest you contact your accountant to review the forms and find out if your business is eligible. Then contact your bank to find out if they are an approved lender for the type of loan you need.

Application for Payback Protection Program (PPP) are due to be available on Friday, April 3, 2020 for small businesses and sole proprietorships. On April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals may apply. We encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.

SBA Press Release: SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

SBA COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION.

US Senate Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act.

Banks that can help: ABA's Industry Response to the Coronavirus.

List of Banks updated from Gusto 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Emergency Loans for Small Business Guide.

U.S. Department of the Treasury: CARES Act Assistance for Small Businesses.

U.S. Treasury PPP Application: Paycheck Protection Program Application.

Video: How to Apply for the PPP Forgivable Loan.

Listen to: How Small Businesses are Navigating Emergency Loans https://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/


Additional Helpful Resources

Articles/Resources/Talks on What Life on Set Will Look like

OSHA - Guidance on Preparing Workplace

Hollywood Submits Covid 19 Reopening Plan (June 1)

LensRental How to Disinefect Camera Equipment and Spaces

How Hollywood Can Make On-Set Work Safer When Production Resumes

Hollywood and Hygiene: Sanitary Conditions in the age of Coronavirus

Reopening Hollywood: From Insurance to testing, Crowd Scenes & Craft Services, Here are the Pandemic Problems Studios are Trying to Solve Befor the Restart

CDC: Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning 

AICP workplace guidelines 

Informative Articles

WWD- The New Normal for Fahion, Celebrity Shoots at Hears Magazines

Adweek list: Adweek Freelance and Out of Work? Here's How to Get Help Now (March 23, 2020).

Art of Freelance: Freelancing in a Covid World.

Copyright Office: Links to Publishing and Information Organizations.

Copyright Office: Copyright Office Expands Electronic Submission Options.

Film LA: Filming Restrictions and Resources.

Freelancer Artist Resources: COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources.

IRS: Tax Day is now July 15, 2020.

LA Times article: Unemployement for Freelancers.

LA Times articles: Resources in the Entertainment Industry.

Benefits, Grants, Job Searches

Artnet resources: Rauschenberg Foundation Emergency Medical Grants.

Career One Stop: Unemployment Benefits.

Format Photographer Fund: Providing $500 to select photographers financially impacted by Covid-19.

Onwardca: California just launched Onwardca.org for job searches in California.

Onwardus: For job searches in the U.S.

PHLEARN: List of Artist Relief Funds and Grants.

Photographer to Photographer advice and inspiration: Photographer to Photographer.

PhotoShelter resources: Coronavirus Resources for Photographers.


Other Associations

During this unprecedented time, we must all work together and share information. APA works closely with a Coaltion of Visual associations, writer associations, the Copyright Alliance, and other freelancer groups.

We are all trying to help members and the industry get through a difficult time. Here are links to their COVID-19 resources guides.

AICP: Covid Resource Guide.

Copyright Alliance: Resource Guide.

NPPA: Covid Resource Guide.

PPA: Covid Resource Guide.

ASMP: Covid Resource Guide.

Graphic Artists Guild: Covid Resource Guide.

Freelancers Union: Covid Resource Guide.

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees: Covid Resource Guide.

New York Foundation for the Arts: Emergency Grants.

New York Foundation for the Arts: Grant for Women (over 40) in the visual arts.

Art Dealers Alliance: Petition for Grants and Loans to Small Art Businesses (under 4 employees).


Upcoming Webinars

Check APA Events 
Other webinars are listed on the APA Photographer to Photographer page as we find them.

87037The Photo Industry During COVID-19, Coronavirus Outbreak

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