International Response Tracker: Sport and Culture

On this page

• Europe
  • France
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Italy
  • Ireland
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • Sweden
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Austria
  • Estonia
  • Greece
  • Lithuania
  • Union européenne
  • European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
  • European Film Promotion (EFP)
  • Wallonia-Brussels Federation (Belgium)
• Australia/Oceania
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
• Americas
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Mexico
  • United States
• Asia and Middle East
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Japan
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Expo 2020 Dubai postponed
• AFRICA
  • South Africa
  • Tunisie
• Multilateral Organizations
  • OECD
  • UNESCO
  • Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
  • Organization of American States (OAS)
• Other Notable Measures
  • International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and Facebook
  • SONY Interactive Entertainment – “Play at Home” Initiative
  • Google – Global Journalism Emergency Relief Fund
  • Instagram – COVID Art Museum (CAM)
  • One World: Together at Home concert (April 18, 2020)
  • Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble concert (May 26, 2020)
  • Une chance qu’on s’a – concert TVA and Télé-Québec (May 10, 2020)
  • Federation for European Storytelling (FEST) – Corona Proof Oral Storytelling Projects

Europe

France

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 169,462 cases
• 25,201 deaths

April 14, 2020

President Emmanuel Macron announced that lockdown would be extended to May 11, and that daycare centres as well as colleges, lycées (high schools) and other schools would also reopen on that date. Borders will remain closed to non-European countries until further notice.

Sport

Maintaining minimal physical activity at home.

Sports federations are mobilizing to promote sports at home.

Heritage Culture

March 30, 2020

The Ministry of Culture and its leaders are providing opportunities to discover exceptional cultural exhibits online, from home. #Culturecheznous

On March 25, the French government launched a measure to enable the State to guarantee loans totalling 300 billion EURO, or 15% of the country’s gross domestic product, in order to support French companies and workers, including in the cultural sector.

On March 18, the Minister of Culture announced “emergency assistance” of 22 million EURO for various areas of the cultural sector. He laid out plans to support artists and authors on March 27.

March 24, 2020

The Ministry of Culture is tracking the period that contract-based cultural workers are unable to work as part of the reference period which gives entitlement to unemployment insurance. It will also continue to pay unemployment insurance benefits for contract-based cultural workers even if their entitlement was set to end during the current period.

The National Music Centre has:

• established an 11.5 million EURO emergency fund for the entertainment industry. Each grant includes an incentive to pay artists compensation for cancelled shows.
• suspended the payment of ‘show tax’

The National Centre for Cinema and Animated Image:

• suspended the entry tax in cinemas for March 2020
• is providing financial aid to art house infrastructure and softening criteria for accessing aid
• grants already awarded for cancelled events will be paid with no requirement for reimbursement.

The performing arts sector (outside music) has had up to 5 million EURO allocated for emergency aid.

The National Book Centre is implementing:

• an emergency plan with a first envelope of 5 million EURO to respond to the immediate challenges of publishers, authors and booksellers
• subsidies already paid to book events cancelled because of the pandemic will not be required to be repaid
• maturities of loans granted to booksellers and publishers will be postponed.

The National Centre for Plastic Arts has:

• an initial 2 million EURO fund for art galleries
• expanded eligibility for gallery grants
• support allocated to galleries to attend postponed fairs will not have to be repaid

“Lumni” platform : France Télévisions is supporting parents and students by deploying this pre-existing educational tool to transform it into a giant classroom and contribute to providing continued learning for 12 million students. The tool was developed with the Ministry of National Education as part of the “Learning Nation” operation, and launched by the Ministry on March 18, 2020.

Every day, France 4 broadcasts a special episode of “La maison Lumni” (the Lumni house). The episodes are categorized by level of discipline and take the form of filmed courses with teachers from the Ministry of National Education. Also available on the france.tv website.

“Révisez avec la radio” (review with radio): this Radio France application gives parents a selection of 25 educational and entertaining programs. Also available online and on social networks.

France Musique is uploading musical and artistic educational content, including one program intended for high school students preparing for the 2020 degree in music.

April 15, 2020

Adami (the civil society for the administration of the rights of artists and performing musicians) announced an assistance plan of 11.3 million EURO for artists and performers, in addition to the 1.7 million EURO announced at the end of March:

• 8.5 million EURO for artists
• 1.8 million EURO for cancelled or delayed projects
• 500,000 EURO for the emergency fund set up by the Centre national de la musique (national music centre)
• 200,000 EURO for the emergency fund dedicated to live performances (other than music), managed by Association pour le Soutien du Théâtre Privé (association for the support of private theatre)

April 28, 2020

To support writers and creation, France Culture, in collaboration with the Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques (society of dramatic composers and writers), is launching a call for the writing of 15-minute works of fiction intended for the radio, on the theme of “imagining the world of tomorrow”. In total, 15 texts will be selected and recorded for broadcasting on the France Culture channel in August 2020.

May 6, 2020

On May 6, 2020, President Macron unveiled the outline of an assistance plan specific to the cultural sector:

• The creation of a temporary compensation fund for cancelled film and television series shoots.
• Extension until August 2021 (“white year”) of the period of entitlement to unemployment benefits for artists without stable employment, which represents an extension of one year beyond the six-month period where activities will have been impossible or dramatically reduced.
• A public commission program for young creators, particularly those under 30 years of age.

The biggest measure presented on May 6 is the extension of the period of entitlement to benefits for performers. Here are some of the other measures that will be implemented:

• A new budget envelope of 50 million EURO for Centre national de la musique (CNM), to be used as compensation for the cancellation of all the summer musical festivals and the ongoing closure of concert halls.
• A large public commission program for art and culture, particularly to support creators under 30 years of age.
• A compensation fund for cancelled film and television series shoots that are unable to restart, since the industry is not insured against pandemics.
• Measures to enable actors and theatre technicians to resume rehearsals, even though performance venues will remain closed.
• The creation of a platform to connect intermittent workers of the live performance sector with the Ministry of National Education. This will enable those workers to take over extracurricular time paid for by the Ministry.

More information will be available soon.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 14, 2020

Performance venues, restaurants, cafes, bars, theatres, movie theatres, and museums will remain closed. All public events have been cancelled until at least mid-July.

Sport

April 14, 2020

The Tour de France has been postponed.

April 23, 2020

The list of all sporting events that have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 (French only).

The 2020 European Athletics Championships, scheduled for August 25 to 30, 2020, in Paris, have been cancelled. Although the organizers had planned to review the manner in which the event is held, it will not take place in 2020 nor in 2021, given the costs that such a delay would cause.

Culture and Heritage

On March 14, France announced new measures, which included closing cultural institutions for the upcoming weeks. Museums, art galleries, historic monuments, movie theatres, theatres, libraries, and French tourist sites are thus closed to the public.

On March 19, 2020, the Cannes Film Festival was postponed.

Reopening:

• The Prime Minister presented his reopening plan to the Senate to explain the mechanism that would be implemented on May 11:
  • 200 EURO in assistance to some youth in precarious situations
  • Partial unemployment benefits in effect until June 1, with gradual adjustments
  • The return of religious ceremonies on May 29 is considered.

Finland

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 5,412 cases
• 246 deaths

Heritage Culture

The Ministry of Education and Culture has granted Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike) EUR 500,000 in extraordinary funding to assist arts and culture professionals hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Taike has also set aside around EUR 100,000 for alleviating the coronavirus crisis. The Finnish Cultural Foundation will grant EUR 500,000 to Taike and other large Finnish foundations, including the Swedish Cultural Foundation, bringing the total aid from the government and the foundations up to EUR 1.5 million. Foundations will also grant aid through their own channels.

The Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes network has announced an open call for art projects related to themes such as the state of emergency, radical change, resilience, artistic practice in the future, alone together. The project will act as a documentation of the COVID-19 crisis and gives the artists an opportunity to reflect it through the arts.

Germany

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 166,199 cases
• 6,993 deaths

April 16, 2020

No State of emergency has been declared however the state of Bavaria declared one on March 16, 2020 and further extended it until May 3, 2020. No major events will take place until August 31, 2020.

April 20, 2020

Federal Government measures announced on April 15, 2020 were extended until May 3, 2020.

Heritage Culture

March 25, 2020

The German federal government’s 50 billion EURO aid package for self-employed and small businesses in the creative and cultural sectors includes the following:

• grants designed to help with overhead costs like venue rentals and artist studios
• loans to help businesses cover costs
• support for media enterprises, including newspapers..

April 1, 2020

The government distributed 500 million EURO to artists and freelancers four days after the launch of this aid package.

In addition, measures were established to support the film sector for a total of 15 million EURO for production companies, distributors and theatrical exhibitors. Repayments to film institutions will be waived.

April 30, 2020

The Minister of Culture made two announcements:

• 5.4 million EURO will be made available from the federal program Excellent Orchestral Landscape for 2020 exclusively for free orchestras
• freelance artists will be reimbursed up to 60% for non-commissioned fees for projects financed by the federal government.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 21, 2020

• Sport - Several sporting events have been cancelled or postponed.
• Culture/Heritage The Oktober Fest was cancelled (Sept. 10 to Oct. 4, 2020).

March 30, 2020

The Leipzig Book Fair was cancelled and Jazzahead! was rescheduled to April 2021

March 16, 2020

The measures taken in Germany will continue until at least April 20, 2020. The German government has banned the assembly of more than two people, and closed all non-essential businesses. Religious gatherings will be prohibited.

Hungary

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 3,065 cases
• 363 deaths

Heritage Culture

May 5, 2020

The State Secretariat for Culture has announced a project called “Thank you Hungary!” with a budget of one billion HUF (2.8 million EURO) to help independent performing artists whom the pandemic has deprived of opportunities to step on stage. Artists can submit proposals of artistic performances to one of seven designated national cultural institutions according to their artistic genre (theatre, classical and contemporary music, jazz, folk, circus, dance etc.) before May 18, 2020.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Restrictions are slowly being lifted. May 4: shopping centers in the countryside are allowed to operate.

Italy

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 211,938 cases
• 29,079 deaths

Italy is now, as of this date, the country with the second highest number of deaths in Europe, behind the United Kingdom.

April 10, 2020

Lockdown extended until May 3, 2020

Heritage Culture

March 30, 2020

The Italian government adopted an executive order to support workers and businesses in the tourism and cultural sectors, summed up as follows:

• Extraordinary benefits for workers
• Support for businesses in the cultural, performance, and tourism sectors
• Emergency fund for festivals and film
• Reimbursement of movie, theatre, museum, and concert tickets
• Refreshing Italy’s image globally

More specifically:

• 130 million EURO will be injected into the Live Show, Cinema and Audio-visual Emergency Fund to support cultural workers.
• Social safety nets are extended to seasonal workers in tourism and entertainment including authors, artists, performers and agents.
• The Italian government has suspended withholding tax payments, social security and welfare contributions and compulsory insurance premiums for those who manage or organize venues, cinemas, museums, arts events, libraries, archives, historical monuments, bars, restaurants, spas, amusement or theme parks, transport services, rental of sports and recreational equipment or structures and equipment for events and shows, guides and tourist assistants.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

March 9, 2020

The Italian Serie A Championships and all other sports competitions have been suspended.

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) has asked for all sports activities to be cancelled.

Culture

March 9, 2020

The government ordered the closure of schools and universities, as well as museums, theatres, movie theatres, and monuments.

April 12, 2020

On Easter, the Italian tenor singer Andrea Bocelli gave a performance in the completely empty Duomo of Milan; the concert was broadcast live on YouTube.

March 26, 2020

• Suspension of activities at, limited entry to, or temporary closure of structures and spaces open to the public, such as places of worship, museums, movie theatres, gyms, sports centres, pools, swimming centres and other sports facilities.
• Limitation, suspension or prohibition of recreational activities and sports outdoors, and of gatherings, initiatives, or events of any kind.

May 4, 2020

Reopening:

• Self-certification and face coverings remain mandatory.
• May 4: factories, construction sites, and offices
• June 1: restaurants and bars, based on the evolution of the pandemic
• September: schools

Ireland

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 21,772 cases
• 1,319 deaths

Heritage Culture

April 3, 2020

The Minister of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, announced measures to support artistic and cultural life with a “particular focus on wellbeing through personal and community creativity.” Funding granted is 1 million EURO from the government and 100,000 EURO in Facebook/Culture Ireland partnership.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 22, 2020

According to a survey conducted by the Arts Council of Ireland among almost 300 arts organizations, it is estimated that arts organizations will lose 2.9 million EURO in income per month of shutdown. The economic impact to date is estimated at 10 million EURO. Over 12,000 events had to be cancelled.

This survey is relevant to the arts sector and arts organizations only. The impact on the 23,000 artists in Ireland remains unknown. The National Campaign for the Arts has conducted a survey among artists, but the results have not yet been published.

Norway

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 7,904 cases
• 214 deaths

March 13, 2020

State of emergency declared

April 7, 2020

Norway announced plans to lift some of the distancing measures.

Heritage Culture

Arts Council Norway has been tasked with managing an emergency compensation package of 300 million NOK for the arts and culture sector on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Culture. The fund will be aimed at stakeholders who have had to cancel or postpone events due to the pandemic. Cultural institutions already receiving government subsidies are not included in this initiative.

March 19, 2020

The Norwegian Parliament has adopted measures to ensure freelancers and the self-employed receive temporary income protection equivalent to 80 per cent of their average income over the last three years, up to a specific limit.

March 25, 2020

Arts Council Norway also announced that 30 million NOK of the Norwegian Cultural Fund will be set aside in a separate grant scheme for art and cultural projects to adapt to the crisis. The scheme is funded from unused funds from previous years and redeployment of funds from other programs to:

• stimulate new ways of producing and disseminating art and culture
• contribute to production and dissemination across arts and heritage and will target artists, groups, and distributors
• digital forms of production and dissemination
• support can be received for completely new works and projects that contribute to the reuse of works that have been produced but can now be disseminated on new platforms

This new scheme can be expanded if need is greater than expected.

April 22, 2020

Additional COVID-19 measures in Norway:

• The Minister of Culture launches a scheme (30 million EURO) to support cultural life;
• Campaigns from artist union to prevent public authorities from withdrawing payment for cancelled concerts;
• Campaign on social media (#norefund) encouraging people who bought tickets for cultural events not to ask for a refund;
• Arts Council Norway will not demand refund for projects that are cancelled;
• Several concerts, readings etc. are held on Facebook, including crowdfunding,
• General economic measures such as tax reductions are adopted by parliament;
• The House of Literature in Oslo and the Norwegian Writer’s Centre create a solidarity fund for vulnerable freelancers and others in the literature industry;
• Public libraries provide increased digital access to literature;
• Museums publish guided tours online;
• Telemark Research Institute launches the research project “Digital adaptation in the times of virus. When cultural life goes viral”.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

March 24, 2020

The Directorate of Health announced the closure of cultural events, sporting facilities, bars and pubs.

Portugal

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 25,702 cases
• 1,074 deaths

March 20, 2020

State of Emergency declared

Heritage Culture

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has launched a 5 million EURO Emergency Covid-19 Fund to strengthen the resilience of society in five key areas, including culture. Emergency financial support will provide the cultural and artistic sector with partial subsidies of lost earnings, and render existing supports more flexible to reschedule performances.

March 27, 2020

The Ministry of Culture has added 1 million EURO towards an Emergency Support Line for the Arts financed through the Development Cultural Fund to support artists in the area of performing, visual and multidisciplinary arts. Up to 20,000 EURO can be awarded to artistic organizations and up to 2,500 EURO for artists.

The Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA) will maintain the calendar for grant applications and will speed up application processes. ICA will allow for cinematographic works to be initially released on TV or through VOD services. In March, the investment obligations of exhibitors were suspended.

The Directorate-General for the Arts (DG Arts) will maintain its financial support (total budget EUR 3 million) for approved projects that were deferred.

The Ministry of Culture launched the collaborative platform “Portugal entra em Cena” (Portugal gets on the scene), to match private companies with artists and cultural agents’ ideas and projects, enhancing the cultural offer, while promoting direct and immediate investment in the cultural sector.

The Government has created a series of general support measures to support to enterprises and employment combined with a package of social measures, including for independent workers, for which the cultural sector agents and artists are eligible.

GDA Emergency Fund: The artists’ collective society “Gestão Direitos dos Artistas” (GDA) announced a 1 million EURO fund to ensure “essential needs” for artists. GDA will also increase the amount of duties charged for social and artistic creation programs to 25%. It will make advance payments of about 50% of the rights in the fields of audiovisual and music.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

Lisbon Half Marathon on March 22 postponed to Sept. 6, 2020

Portuguese International Championships (Badminton) in Caldas da Rainha from March 5-8 canceled.

Poland

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 14,242 cases
• 700 deaths

March 20, 2020

Epidemic Emergency declared

Heritage Culture

April 7, 2020

As part of the Anti-Crisis Shield for Culture (total planned budget of 870 million EURO), the first grant program for culture was announced: ‘Culture on the Web’ fund (4.3 million EURO) to support artists, creators and institutions for electronic communication, primarily the Internet.

The Polish Filmmakers Association has introduced a system of advance payments for future royalties, non-returnable financial assistance, and everyday assistance for authors and producers.

Polish measures include a new ‘Creativity on the Internet’ grant program to develop digital forms of artistic presentation and to compensate for losses to culture in connection with the pandemic in its aftermath. The Polish government is also extending deadlines and simplifying procedures for applications for financial support for audio-visual productions, and allowing film premieres to take place on Internet platforms.

On March 20, 2020, the Polish Film Institute launched a Plan for the Film Industry in Crisis. Measures include changes to increase the flexibility of existing grant procedures and establishing a special fund to provide quick assistance. They are also looking into how festivals can take place on the Internet. The institute has extended its subsidy program to three years.

The Polish Filmmakers Association launched an initiative to provide early royalties’ advances, and Monolith Films announced large investments in productions to be made following the crisis.

The Ministry of Culture is working on a special bill on the Status of the Artist as a lifeline for creative workers in need.

April 1, 2020

Changes were brought to Poland’s Cinematography Act, allowing film premieres on VOD platforms and on the Internet, and to the Act on Audiovisual Incentives, extending the deadlines and simplifying the procedures for submitting applications for financial support of audiovisual productions.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

Polish Open (badminton) in Krakow scheduled to take place on March 26-29, 2020 canceled.

March 29, 2020

World half marathon championships in Gdynia, Poland postponed to Oct. 17, 2020.

Spain

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 250,128 cases
• 25,613 deaths

April 28, 2020

Highest number of cases in Europe to date

March 14, 2020

Decree of state of emergency for 15 days

March 25, 2020

State of emergency extended to April 11, 2020

April 4, 2020

Lockdown measures extended to April 26

Sport

April 21, 2020

The Minister of Culture and Sport met with the Ministers of Sport of the European Union to set up a group to review how to promote sport post COVID-19.

Heritage Culture

April 18, 2020

The Ministry of Culture and Housing has committed to design a relief package to support the culture sector.

March 31, 2020

The Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport will offer assistance to self-employed individuals and small businesses in the culture and sport sectors whose income was affected as a result of the pandemic. This support includes a moratorium on mortgages for properties, postponement of payment of social security fees and possibly modifying and suspending of electricity and natural gas bills.

March 26, 2020

The Ministry of Culture and Sport under the campaign "culture in your home" offers access to national museum virtually i.e. El Prado.

The Ministers Council is offering a line of credit/guarantee 20 million EURO for independent sport and cultural institutions during this crisis.

April 22, 2020

The Minister of Culture and Sport aims to develop a State Pact for Culture. A working group will be created by the ministries of Culture and of Finance to design a two-speed strategic package of measures based on the most urgent priorities: one with proposals for urgent and immediate application that offers a protection network to the sector and another with reforms that will allow the sector to reactivate once the health crisis within the framework of the Alarm Status is overcome.

April 27, 2020

The city of Barcelona launched 10 extraordinary measures for the city’s cultural sector, including:

• 1 million EURO extra subsidy with an emphasis on the most vulnerable grassroots structures
• 1 million EURO for libraries
• Advanced fees for postponed programs, rescheduling or expanding major cultural events
• Property-tax subsidy, calling on the Spanish and Catalan governments to implement proposals including reducing cultural VAT to zero until the end of the year
• Grants and subsidies created to fund 100% of the taxes for audiovisual shoots in the city up to 31 December 2020.

April 15, 2020

The Basque Government will allocate 2.5 million EURO to assist the cultural sector. Artists can receive up to 70% of their monthly wages a maximum of 1200 EURO.

April 24, 2020

The Madrid Region announced 1 million EURO of financial aid for film, TV and the performing arts sector.

April 22, 2020

Spain has provided financial credits for cultural professionals to guarantee liquidity, offered new subsidies to protect workers and postponed the payment of taxes.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

May 4, 2020

Six-week de-escalation plan:

• Phase 0 : Hairdressers, cafés, takeaway meals at restaurants
• Phase 1 (May 4): Hotels and holiday apartments open
• Phase 2: Cinemas, theaters, restaurants (30% capacity) and weddings with limited number of people, small shops open
• Phase 3: More people allowed in restaurants and shops.

March 13, 2020

Public access to national cultural institutions closed.

March 15, 2020

Barcelona Marathon on postponed to Oct. 25, 2020

March 29, 2020

Madrid Half Marathon postponed

April 21, 2020

The Pamplona’s San Fermin bull-running festival was cancelled (July 2020).

Switzerland

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 30,009 cases
• 1,790 deaths

Sport

Consequences of the coronavirus on Swiss and international sports (French only)

Heritage Culture

On March 20, 2020, the Federal Council adopted measures to mitigate the economic consequences of the pandemic (French only)

April 6, 2020

Package of measures totaling 280 million CHF:

• 100 million CHF for non-profit organizations
• 25 million CHF for cultural workers
• 145 million CHF as compensation for losses
• 10 million for non-professional cultural associations such as music and theater organizations.

The Swiss government announced specific emergency support for the cultural sector:

• interest-free loans to ensure liquidity for cultural organizations up to 30% of the annual income
• emergency aid for cultural workers to cover the immediate cost of living
• grants for cultural organizations and artists to cover the financial damage associated with cancellation or postponement of events and projects or company closures, up to 80% of the financial loss
• financial aid for cultural associations to cover costs associated with the cancellation or postponement of events.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

On March 21, 2020, the Federal Council prohibited public gatherings of more than five people.

May 4, 2020

Gradual reopening:

• May 4: hairdressing salons, medical offices, daycare centres, and garden centres
• May 11: some schools, stores, bars, and restaurants
• June 8: professional educational institutions, high schools, and universities, as well as museums, zoos, and libraries (starting on June 8)

Sweden

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 23,216 cases
• 2,854 deaths

No full-scale lockdown imposed

Heritage Culture

March 30, 2020

The cultural sector and sports movement will receive an extra 1 billion SEK in support.

The Swedish Arts Council is working on creating new processes for the distribution of grants when the crisis package is in place.

April 22, 2020

Film production restarted under new coronavirus rules: Sweden allows for gatherings of a maximum of 50 people on film sets.

April 24, 2020

The Cultural Council will distribute SEK 370 million in funding to the culture sector. Part of the support will be distributed to canceled and postponed cultural events, such as concerts, performing arts performances, art exhibitions, lectures and similar events, and were to take place before the end of May 2020. Other funds will be open to legal persons and entrepreneurs who carry out professional cultural activities.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

May 5, 2020

Most schools, restaurants, bars, enterprises remained open. Gatherings over 50 people are not allowed.

April 6, 2020

Gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned, however primary and preschools remain open — although public health officials have recommended that secondary schools and universities switch to distance learning. Daycares, hairdressers, gyms and many retail stores remain open.

April 27, 2020

Sweden has been the focus of global attention since it did not impose a full-scale lockdown. All closed senior schools were closed and gatherings of more than 50 were banned. It asked – rather than ordered – people to avoid non-essential travel, work from home and elderly and ill people to stay at home. Shops, restaurants and gyms remained open.

Ukraine

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 12,697 cases
• 316 deaths

Heritage Culture

March 26, 2020

The Ukrainian National Council (national regulator) announced the Media Change Ukraine project to facilitate the exchange of TV content. It is a content database that can be accessed by any TV company in the country. Participants include various companies (including TV5). The conditions for participating in the project include regulating the right to use the content without payment or transfers to third parties and without using the internet, and only by the means stipulated by licenses of the National Council quarantine period, established by the central authorities or emergency/condition.

United Kingdom

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 194,990 cases
• 29,427 deaths

The United Kingdom is the European country with highest number of deaths to date (surpassed Italy).

Heritage Culture

England

Arts Council England launched an 160 million GBP Emergency funding package for theatres, galleries, museums and artists:

• 20 million GBP available to individuals via grants (up to 2,500 GBP each)
• 90 million GBP for National Portfolio Organizations that receive regular annual funding, and,
• 50 million GBP for organizations outside of the National Portfolio. Diverse-led and disabled-led organizations will be prioritized, in addition to organizations’ capacity to deliver “Let’s Create” after the crisis.

Arts Council of England is also:

• relaxing grant funding conditions
• offering to advance six months of grant payments to national portfolio organizations and postpone the next national portfolio investment process, so that the current suite of organizations will roll over to 31 March 2023
• promoting its existing “Digital Culture Network” program which employs “Tech Champions,” who can help artists and organizations to develop their digital skills

The BBC Arts and the Arts Council of England have launched the Culture in Quarantine Fund to support around 25 established England-based artists of any discipline to produce new works in creative media (video, audio and interactive) in Spring 2020. Depending on their nature, each work will be hosted by the BBC online and/or on-air. Collaborations between artists of different disciplines are welcome.

March 24, 2020

The BBC Writersroom is launching InterConnected, a contest for the selection of original scripts that involve between two and four characters in self-isolation, connecting via online video conferencing. The best four stories will be produced with professional actors for BBC platforms in April. The selected writers will each receive 300 GBP for their script.

April 18, 2020

The Chancellor of the Exchequer promised support measures worth 330 billion GBP for businesses, including those in the creative and cultural sector. This will include loans, exemptions from business rates for a period and, paying companies up to 80% of employee salaries for three months.

Freelancers are entitled for three months, to 80% of their average monthly earnings over the past three financial years, but with a ceiling of 2,500 a month GBP. The Government expectation is that up to 95% of freelancers in all areas will be covered by this arrangement.

The Society of Authors Fund has set up a 330,000 GBP emergency fund for authors, translators, illustrators and journalists, with the Author’s Licensing & Collection Society, English PEN, Amazon UK, the Royal Literary Fund and T.S Eliot Foundation.

April 20, 2020

The British government announced plans for a new “Future Fund” with a total of 250 million GBP. The information is not yet available.

April 7, 2020

UK COVID-19 Film and TV Emergency Relief Fund (2.5 million GBP): Netflix donated 1 million GBP, and other stakeholders are also contributing to this fund.

The Association of Independent Music has launched a 1 million GBP fund to support freelancers and contractors in the music industry.

April 29, 2020

The British Film Institute (BFI) repurposed 4.6 million GBP in funding to target specific areas of the sector including exhibitors, freelancers, and producers.

The British Film Institute (BFI) launched a 2 million GBP COVID-19 Production Continuation Fund for UK independent productions. This fund is part of a package to support individuals, organizations and businesses across the sector. The BFI is also continuing to work closely with industry and government to develop and implement a sector-wide strategy for recovery.

April 30, 2020

As of May 1, 2020, the United Kingdom’s value added tax (VAT) on digital publications was lifted, making the cost of e-publications more affordable to readers staying at home and making it cheaper for publishers to sell their books, magazines and newspapers.

The mayor of London announced the launch of a 2.3 million GBP Culture at Risk Business Support Fund to support London’s cultural and creative industries. From this fund:

• 450,000 GBP will be donated to the Music Venue Trust #saveourvenues campaign launched to support 147 grassroots music venues in London
• 225,000 GBP to support up to 56 LGBTQ+ venues in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum
• 1.5 million GBP to the Creative Land Trust to support tenants across 200 artist studios workspaces
• 150,000 GBP to the British Film Institute to help up to 25 of London’s independent cinemas.

Wales

April 7, 2020

The Welsh government announced the funding of 18 million GBP for the creative industries and sport sectors:

• 7 million GBP Arts Resilience Fund for artists and organizations, jointly financed by the Welsh Government and Arts Council of Wales
• 8 million GBP Sport Resilience Fund led by Sport Wales
• 1 million GBP Creative Wales for music venues, TV and publishing sector
• 1 million GBP Cultural Resilience Fund for museums, collections, conservation services, archives and community and public libraries
• 750K GBP Emergency Relief Fund for smallest sport, museum and heritage organizations
• 250K Digital Library Resources

The Arts Council of Wales previously also announced an easing of administrative requirements in its current funding programs, including extending timelines, and providing advance grant to assist with cash flow. In exchange, the Council asks funded organizations to honour contracts agreed with freelancers and artists, regardless of whether the activity is cancelled / reduced / rescheduled.

Northern Ireland

March 30, 2020

1 million GBP for an emergency Creative Support Fund will enable artists and institutions to present work in new and innovative ways.

Arts Council Northern Ireland will:

• announce in the next week two new measures for artists
• honour all grants already made in 2019/20
• urgently issue any remaining balance of payments for 2019/20
• roll over organizations' 2019-20 grants to 2020/21 thereby enabling advancement of payments
• work flexibly on contracts for next year, possibly including advanced payments to assist with cash flow
• ask funded organizations to honour contracts with artists and freelancers.

April 28, 2020

Northern Ireland's Arts Council has opened a 500K GBP emergency fund (grants) to freelance artists, performers and other creative practitioners, with funds from the Arts Council’s National Lottery.

Scotland

Creative Scotland has three funding programs that can support the cultural sector during the pandemic:

1. Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary Program (2 million GBP available, 500 to 2,500 GBP per professional) : non-competitive fund for freelance creative professionals in immediate need
2. Parallel Screen Scotland Bridging Bursary Fund (1.5 million GBP, 500 to 2,500 GBP per professional): one-off bursary support for self-employed screen sector workers
3. Open Fund Sustaining Creative Development (7.5 million GBP, 1,000 to 50,000 GBP each): for individuals and organizations to sustain themselves.

March 27, 2020

Culture Counts is hosting a survey for Scotland’s artists and organizations to report the impact of COVID-19.

April 9, 2020

Screen Scotland announced a 1 million GPB set of measures to support film and television producers, enabling them to develop projects over the next three to six months. The measures include a 500,000 GBP Film Single Project Development Funding Route and a 500,000 GBP TV-focused broadcast Single Project Development Fund.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

March 30, 2020

Several sporting events have been cancelled or postponed. For a detailed list, see:

• https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/28824781/list-sporting-events-canceled-coronavirus
• https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1254761/Coronavirus-sports-cancelled-list-postponed-by-covid-19-latest

April 1, 2020

Wimbledon Tennis Tournament (June 29 to July 12, 2020) cancelled

Culture/Heritage

England

March 30, 2020:

• Glastonbury 2020 Festival
• The London Book Fair 2020, scheduled to take place at Olympia, London, March 10-12, 2020

Several more cultural and heritage events have been cancelled or postponed. For a detailed list, see https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/mar/13/coronavirus-culture-arts-films-gigs-festivals-cancellations

April 18, 2020:

A survey by Arts Professional suggests the closure of venues could cost the sector more than 1 million GBP a day in lost revenue.

Scotland

April 1, 2020:

Edinburg International Festival, Edinburg Fringe, Military Tattoo, Edinburg Art Festival and Edinburg International Book Festival have been cancelled. The five events attract about 4.4 million people each August. All five festivals are exploring new ways to link performers with audiences to maintain a virtual presence in Edinburg 2020.

Austria

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 15,650 cases
• 606 deaths

Heritage Culture

April 8, 2020

• On March 13, 2020, Ulrike Lunacek, Secretary of State for Arts and Culture, held a round table with representatives from the field of culture and the audiovisual sector.
• Advocacy organizations of the independent cultural scene organized a survey to determine the needs of their members.
• Hardship fund: 2 billion EURO provides emergency aid for one-person companies, micro enterprises, including artists and self-employed workers, cultural institutions and artists to cover the costs of living.
• COVID-19 Fund for artists and cultural educators: the existing Artists’ Social Insurance Fund was increased by 5 million EURO to compensate income losses of artists and cultural educators having difficulties to cover their living costs due to closures and cancellations.
• First aid support provided by Collecting Societies. In the field of music, a 1 million EURO fund has been provided for music creators and another fund of 1 million EURO for music labels. Further support is in place for visual arts, filmmakers, audiovisual media, writers, performers and producers of sound carriers and music videos.

May 4, 2020

• On March 18, 2020, the government of Austria announced it would spend up to 38 billion EURO ($42 billion) aid package for workers and companies (all sectors). As part of this aid package (arts and culture sector):
  • large theatres, freelancers and the “new self-employed” workers have been provided with a financial safety net;
  • large orchestras have received a first emergency fund of 400 million EURO;
  • companies and small businesses are also financially supported;
  • further funding is available via emergency funds from the eight collecting societies, including ÖSTIG — LSG Performers, and
  • the Ministry of Finance and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce also takes care of the music and the film sectors through various ad hoc regulations.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

May 5, 2020

Reopening:

• May 1: small businesses, hairdressing salons, parks, and gardens reopened.
• Mid-May: hotels and restaurants.
• Large gatherings are banned until at least mid-July, and schools will be closed until mid-May. Face coverings are mandatory.

All cultural institutions remain closed.

Since April 15, 2020, the trade industry and the service sector have gradually started opening again, the gastronomy sector will follow on May 15, 2020 and accommodation facilities on May 29th. Theatre operation in Austria is not expected to restart before autumn 2020.

May 4, 2020

All events are prohibited until the end of June 2020 and no more than ten people should gather in one place at the same time in public places.

Estonia

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1,711 cases
• 55 deaths

Heritage Culture

The Estonian Ministry of Culture has announced an initial 3 million EURO to partially compensate for the direct costs and income lost due to the cancellation of cultural and sporting events and activities.

The Ministry has also announced likely easing of restrictions regarding access to support under the Creative Persons and Creative Societies Act, which aims to support creative practitioners who have lost their income.

A minimum wage is guaranteed for six months and is available to practitioners who are creators as defined in the Creative Industries Act and whose main source of income is professional creative activity in the fields of architecture, audiovisual, design, performing arts, sound, literature, visual arts.

April 27, 2020

The Estonian Minister of Culture has announced a 25 million EURO support program for sport and culture:

• 5.2 million EURO for freelancers;
• 6 million EURO will be distributed equally between museums, both national and private;
• 4 million EURO each will be granted to theaters and the music sector.
• Estonia is also “shouldering the burden in the resumption of film production, publishing and design activities, and in strengthening the cultural program of public broadcaster ERR.”
• Funds for the areas of sport that have had league matches cancelled and to support sports institutions.

Greece

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 2,632 cases
• 146 deaths

Heritage Culture

On April 2, 2020, the Ministry of Culture and Sports announced a 15 million EURO support plan to stimulate and enhance the resilience of contemporary culture, creators and professionals. From this amount, 5 million EURO came from the 2020 Ministry’s budget, while the extra 10 million EURO came from the Ministry of Economy.

April 30, 2020

Those measures come in parallel to horizontal measures announced by the government, the Development Measures and New Initiatives Plan, which is some cases also touch on the cultural and creative sectors. For the first phase of the Ministry’s Development Measures and New Initiatives Plan, the following has been foreseen:

• a special call for the financial support of Digital Cultural initiatives was already announced on March 20, 2020 aiming to: a) stimulate the market and strengthen the relevant professions and b) create new digital content to be available in the short-term;
• in mid-January (prior to the corona crisis), the Ministry of Culture and Sports had announced a call to fund specific sectors of cultural activity. Once the crisis hit, these funds were increased and it was announced that there would be a new call for the support of theater and dance productions to support artists and theater professionals;
• support to exhibition spaces and galleries through the further support of Art Athina aiming to promote Greek artists inside and outside Greece;
• the Ministry will create a specialized platform, in cooperation with the Greek publishers’ community, to make literature available for children and adolescents;
• a new platform will be created to promote Greek books abroad. This platform will be associated with the translation of books program that had already been announced before the health crisis (the Development Measures and New Initiatives Plan);
• support to digital activities stimulating the reading of books aiming to support writers and actors/narrators, while creating new digital content that can be immediately available;
• municipal regional theaters are being supported with 20,000 EURO beyond their fixed grants and will be supported further by 35,000 EURO in the coming months;
• the Greek Film Centre launched a 1.8 million EURO Special Program of Support for the Film Community for the development of audiovisual content, specifically documentary, short-film projects and animated films. In parallel, emergency financial aid will be given for independent cinema owners.
• Lastly, the Ministry will design and implement a research project among culture professionals starting in May, to measure the impact of the crisis in that sector. The aim is that these results will feed into evidence-based policies of the Ministry in the near future.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 24, 2020

On March 8, 2020, the government announced emergency measures that included: schools shut downs cancellation of conferences, and sporting events to be conducted behind closed doors.

The Greek Minister of Tourism said that the country will prepare to welcome foreign tourists beginning in July.

May 4, 2020

Gradual easing of lockdown restrictions imposed for six weeks (retail stores, beaches).

Lithuania

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1,423 cases
• 46 deaths

Heritage Culture

The Lithuanian Culture Council's new funding measures include:

• Individual scholarships for cultural or artistic creators: individual developers will be able to receive a 3 months scholarship for the development of individual creative activities (for approximately 300 artists). The second and third educational scholarship grant rounds are cancelled. Developers with relevant activities will be invited to submit for the new grant round.
• Funding for cultural NGOs: 1.2 million EURO program for cultural organizations has been created.
• Other grant programs are suspended until the end of the quarantine, and applicants will be invited to apply for the new funding measures.
• 700,000 EURO will be allocated from the Copyright and Related Rights Protection Program to compensate for losses incurred by cultural workers.
• The Culture Council has also started talking to funded organizations about adjusting projects, reallocating funding and postponing some activities or reorienting others. These organizations will receive 100% of the 2020 funds rather than 90% this year.

April 10, 2020

The Minister of Culture, Mintages Kvietkauskas, has introduced the Action Plan for Support of the Culture Sector for artists, culture professionals and cultural organizations. It includes:

• Additional 2 million EURO for the Artists Social Security Program, implemented by the Ministry of Culture
• Additional 3 million EURO for cultural organizations (private and public) to develop new products and services and adapt them for the digital environment, implemented by the Lithuanian Council for Culture
• Additional resources of 2 million EURO, managed by the Lithuanian Film Centre, will support the Lithuanian film sector to support cinemas, new productions, distribution, individual filmmakers, TV and audiovisual content.

Union européenne

Heritage Culture

On March 25, the European Union launched a survey with its Member States to assess the impact of the pandemic on the cultural sector. The survey results, expected in a few weeks, will be used to develop recommendations for the consideration of European policymakers. The survey is being conducted online: https://www.profession-spectacle.com/coronavirus-lue-lance-une-enquete-en-ligne-pour-evaluer-limpact-de-la-pandemie-dans-le-secteur-culturel/ (French only)

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

182 film productions have been shut down since the beginning of the pandemic.

European Broadcasting Union (EBU)

Cases

N/A

Heritage Culture

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) supports public service media (PSM) organizations by offering a network to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences, to exchange content at a time when productions are being postponed, and collaborations to ensure timely, accurate reporting.

A new report from the EBU shows how public service broadcasters have responded to the challenges of the pandemic by rapidly modifying their programming. For instance:

• Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (Swiss Radio and Television) is increasing the amount of Swiss music played across its radio channels to support local artists.
• Yle (Finland) is investing in more cultural content to provide home-theatre experiences that bring Finns together.
• BBC local radio stations (UK) are joining up with volunteer groups to help co-ordinate support for the elderly, housebound or those at risk.

News: Audience data from 18 key European markets (including the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany) shows that many more people are turning to PSM for reliable, real-time news and information on the crisis. The reach of evening news bulletin has doubled while daily viewing is up 14 per cent on average. Younger viewers are also tuning in in increasing numbers with daily viewing of the evening bulletins up 20 per cent amongst that age group.

Online news reports: Daily reach has almost tripled in key markets and the numbers are growing as the crisis develops.

Education: Children’s programming hours have been extended, educational content increased on different platforms and new content developed to help with remote schooling.

• RTVE (Spain) has launched a new web and mobile application ‘EduClan’ to showcase videos on all school subjects.
• RTS (Serbia) is airing lessons for students on TV and online.

March 23, 2020

Entertainment:

• Rai (Italy) has launched a new TV sport channel with archive sport events
• Czech TV has created a new channel ‘CT3’ with content tailored specifically for older audiences.

European Film Promotion (EFP)

Cases

N/A

Heritage Culture

The European Film Promotion (EFP) is an agency represents movie stakeholders from 37 countries. The EFP plans to make its Film Sales Support initiative, which provides funds to sales agents for the marketing of European films, more flexible so that it can be used by sales agents for digital promotion, and does not require the agents to attend a festival or market in person, and remove the requirement for a theatrical release for the films. These changes will depend on European Union funder the MEDIA Program giving its permission, as it funds the initiative. EFP is working with Europa International to ensure it can continue to keep supporting the sales companies.

EFP is looking to work closely with festivals and markets that are setting up virtual events to develop digital tools for projects, make presentations and screen films. EFP will also offer to organize online training for its member organizations and other partners.

EFP’s Producers on the Move program, a platform for up-and-coming producers, is going to take place in a digital format in May. The event usually takes place at the Cannes Film Festival, but the festival has opted to move to late June. EFP will offer a variety of digital tools for meetings to take place between the producers and leading figures in the film industry who could help extend their professional network.

Wallonia-Brussels Federation (Belgium)

Cases

N/A

Heritage Culture

April 14, 2020

A Federation support fund for cultural stakeholders (including cultural centres, performing arts, music, public and private museums, and movies) has been launched. The overall estimated budget for compensation is 8,396,000 EURO.

The initiative called “Le cinéma belge à la maison” (Belgian movies at home): In response to the closing of movie theatres, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation movie and audiovisual centre (Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel) is contributing to the release of Belgian movies in virtual format. As such, several Belgian movies are being released, or shown for an extending period, on national streaming services. This initiative includes a promotional media campaign for the films being shown, including the launch of the lecinemabelgealamaison.be mini website (French only) and of the @lecinemabelgealamaison Instagram account.

Australia/Oceania

Australia

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 6,849 cases
• 96 deaths

April 16, 2020

Extension of Western Australia declaration of State of emergency

March 29, 2020

Prime Minister announced state by state guidelines

Heritage Culture

April 15, 2020

COVID-19 Relief Package for Australian Media:

• Tax relief: a 12-month waiver of spectrum tax for commercial television and radio broadcasters (41 million AUD tax rebates)
• Public Interest News Gathering program for regional journalism (50 million AUD)
• Emergency suspension of content quotas in 2020
• Harmonizing regulation to support Australian content: release of an options paper developed by Screen Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, starting a fast-track consultation process on how best to support Australian screen content. For additional information:

https://www.if.com.au/screen-australia-and-acma-set-out-four-reform-models/

April 9, 2020

The Australian government announced a commitment of 27 million AUD in targeted funding:

• 10 million AUD for regional artists and organizations through the Regional Arts Fund
• 7 million AUD for Indigenous artists and arts centers delivered by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program
• 10 million AUD for the Charity Support Act.

Australia Council for the Arts has launched a four-year (2021-2024) Response Package:

• Approximately 5 million AUD uncommitted funds will be repurposed to new programs to provide immediate relief to Australian artists, arts workers and organizations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations.
• Increased flexibility of grant conditions and reporting, including removing requirements on meeting audience key performance indicators, timeline extensions and allowing organizations to use money provided for a deliverable to be repurposed to pay essential bills such as wages, rent or utilities.
• Suspension of the Australia Council’s investment programs, with Career Development Grants, Fellowships and Arts Projects funding among the programs put on hold to free up funds.
• Launching of the online webinar learning series, Creative Connections, offering professional development to the industry.
• Started a weekly series of First Nations’ roundtables and other roundtables on the implications of COVID-19

The Australia Council’s other initiatives include continuing the Arts and Disability Mentorship Initiative, and a new Facebook Group, Arts and creative industries: digital support, primarily a professional development and distribution resource

The Queensland government launched a 10.5 million AUD package to assist the arts sector, provided to small and medium arts organizations.

South Australian government launched a Quick Response Grants program to help affected artists.

The government of Australia is working with States and Territories on various measures for Indigenous Peoples, including Aboriginal languages: rolling out audio resources in 17 different Aboriginal languages to keep people informed about the latest information on COVID-19.

March 27, 2020

Screen Australia announced Emergency Funds to support productions and work under way with Office of the Arts to prepare an industry support directory.

April 20, 2020

As part of its $3.3 million COVID-19 support package, Screen Queensland will dedicate 50,000 AUD to help support the state’s film festivals to shift online. The V-Fest initiative will offer five grants of up to 10,000 AUD each, designed to assist with costs of running and delivering a virtual screen festival in the next six to 12 months. The focus is primarily for Queensland-based audiences with the possibility of each event expanding to reach a larger audience across Australia.

April 24, 2020

The New South Wales Government announced a 6.35 million AUD relief package for rent waivers, digital residencies and support for new performances and artworks. The funding includes:

• 1 million AUD in accommodation assistance for 38 arts organizations housed in government buildings
• 450,000 AUD for new exhibitions and events
• 350,000 AUD for individual artists
• Support to production companies (100,000 AUD each) to develop projects in television drama, features, information, and online space
• 30,000 AUD for six new fellowships for digital residency programs and professional virtual placements.

April 26, 2020

The Australian state of Victoria government announced 16.8 million AUD arts relief package to provide immediate support to those working in the state’s creative industries:

1. 13 million AUD will go towards just under 100 non-government arts organizations, in an initiative entitled the “Strategic Investment Fund.”
2. $2.2 million will help support individual artists and small organizations currently working on projects through the “Sustaining Creative Workers” initiative (grants of up to $5,000 for individuals and grants of up to $10,000 for micro-organizations).
3. $1.6 million of repurposed funding will be invested directly into the sector over the coming weeks.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

March 14, 2020

All sporting events were cancelled or put on hold.

March 24, 2020

The Australia Institute of Sport (AIS), the Australia Olympic Committee (AOC) and Paralympics Australia recommended the closure of all non-essential services.

Culture

March 14, 2020

All non-essential public events and cultural events (concerts, tours, film festivals, celebrations, parades, etc.) were cancelled.

New Zealand

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1,486 cases
• 20 death

May 4, 2020

First day with no deaths

April 29, 2020

State of emergency, first declared on March 25, was extended until May 6.

March 23, 2020

Four-week lockdown

March 16, 2020

PM announced a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people

Sport

March 17, 2020

New Zealand’s government announced a “stimulus package” of 12.1 billion NZD and equivalent to 4% of GDP, one of the largest in the world on a per capita basis.

Heritage Culture

March 24, 2020

Emergency Response Package: Creative New Zealand announced the first phase of the COVID-19 response scheme (16 million NZD), funding opening on April 14, 2020. It includes 4.5 million NZD of new funding and 11.5 NZD repurposed from other programs. It includes two components:

1. Resilience Grants:
2. Arts Continuity Grants (up to 50K NZD per grant) for the creation of new work or reframing of existing project, including creative and professional development, promotion and distribution.
3. Emergency Relief Grant (up to 10K NZD per grant) for eligible artists and arts practitioners, collectives and groups.
4. Short-term Relief for Investment Clients:
5. For existing investment clients and on top of existing funding to help stabilize businesses.

Phase 2 will provide support beyond June 2020.

April 23, 2020

The New Zealand government announced a support of 50 million NZD for media groups. Approximately half the funding (21.1 million NZD) will go to television and radio broadcasters in transmission fees cuts.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

A lower alert level could be announced and implemented as of May 6, 2020.

March 14, 2020

All cultural and sporting events, including the Super Rugby event, were cancelled.

April 19, 2020

New Zealand plans to ease restrictions. Businesses, kindergartens and elementary schools will open next week.

Americas

Argentina

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 4,887 cases
• 260 deaths

Heritage Culture

April 21, 2020

As part of the Ministry of Culture’s Culture Points Program, subsidies are available to support Indigenous cultures, for a total of 300,000 ARS.

The Ministry of Culture Argentina has announced:

• The Culture Points Program will have its budget increased from 17 to 50 million ARS.
• 30 million ARS in emergency funds for cultural centers
• The National Commission of Public Libraries will increase investment in the book program for the purchase of books (47 million ARS). The funds earmarked for the Book Fair will be redirected to this.
• The National Theatre Institute will allocate 96 million ARS for studios, plays and festivals.
• The National Arts Fund will boost the payment of scholarships, competitions, subsidies and loans with 22 million ARS, and launch a new call with funding of 75 million ARS.
• The National Institute of Music announced a fund for 1,200 musicians of 10,000 ARS each.
• The Infanto Juveniles Orchestras program will have 9.2 million ARS for new instruments.
• 7.2 million ARS for hiring nearly 500 artists to develop content for "Culture at Home" through the digital platform "Create Culture" which is a virtual community of practice.

Chile

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 20,643 cases
• 270 deaths

March 19, 2020

Decreed State of Catastrophe for 90 days

Heritage Culture

The Chilean Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage will allocate 15 billion CLP (24.7M CAD) to support artists and organizations. These funds will be distributed for cultural content (copyright payments), the promotion of artistic creation, as well as protecting cultural spaces and organizations. The funds are from a repurposing of existing programs and instruments.

The Ministry will be conducting an online public consultation on the state of the situation for creators and arts organizations.

March 24, 2020

Meetings will also be convened with other ministries to seek joint solutions regarding artistic/cultural activity.

The Ministry is also working on specific measures for the regions and running a survey of the sector.

April 22, 2020

Chile's Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage increased and diversified its digital online content through new platforms.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 17, 2020

Since 2020, Chile has celebrated Cultural Heritage Day every last Sunday of May. This year, Chile has announced that the celebrations will be presented on digital platforms from May 29-31, 2020.

Colombia

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 7,973 cases
• 358 deaths

Economic, social and ecological state of emergency

Heritage Culture

April 19, 2020

The Ministry of Culture will be providing an additional 110 million COP to support artists, creators and cultural administrators, for a total of 230 million COP (this figure includes 80 million COP and 40 million COP previously announced, as listed below).

The Colombian Ministry of Culture has announced:

• 80 million COP for social security for artists and cultural managers through the Periodic Economic Benefits Scheme
• 40 million COP for creation, virtual training, production and circulation of public performances of the performing arts, face-to-face or virtual, for the next 18 months
• extension of deadlines for taxes and fees and funded events.

Digital culture catalogue: citizens will have access to audiovisual, theatrical, bibliographic and musical content, museum tours, travelling exhibitions, interactive activities and exclusive portals of education and leisure for young children and teenagers.

Additional measures:

• As previously planned, the Ministry of Culture will allocate 24.5 million COP for culture in 2020 as part of the National Program of Incentive. This program includes 9 million COP for the first phase of the Research, creation and entrepreneurship component (launched on April 1, 2020).
• Government crosscutting measures also favor the cultural sector, with access to credit, time extensions for tax declarations and tax payments.

All of these measures have been created within an inclusive approach and have been translated into more than 10 native languages.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 7, 2020

Confinement measures extended to April 26, 2020

Mexico

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 24,905 cases
• 2,271 deaths

Heritage Culture

The Mexican Secretariat of Culture announced support for up to 85 artists, creators and independent spaces to benefit from up to 150,000 MXN each (approx. 8,860 CAD) to conduct their work virtually. Artists will be able to work from home media, technologies and virtual communication platforms.

March 27, 2020

The Secretariat of Culture, through the National System of Musical Promotion (SNFM), has made public concerts and community presentations through “Contigo en la Distancia” platform (“With you in the Distance”). The aim is to support the country's artists, promote the creation and development of creative strategies, pre-production, rehearsal and presentation through digital media.

In Mexico, community radio and intercom systems are being used to disseminate health care information in Zapotec language and other Indigenous languages.

April 22, 2020

Taking into account the cultural diversity in Mexico, health information regarding COVID-19 has been translated into 68 Indigenous languages.

United States

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1,213,010 cases
• 69,925 deaths

April 28, 2020

Highest number of cases and deaths in the world so far.

March 13, 2020

National emergency proclaimed

April 21, 2020

Immigration temporarily suspended

Sport

The United States government does not provide direct funding for sports nor for the United States Olympic Committee.

Some supports may be provided at the state and municipal levels but as of yet we do not have any information on COVID-19-related measures.

Heritage Culture

The US government passed a third economic stimulus package which includes 307.5 million USD in support for the arts and cultural sector:

• 75 million USD for the National Endowment for the Arts (40% for State and regional arts agencies, 60% designed to grants for non-profit arts organizations)
• 75 million USD for the National Endowment for the Humanities
• 75 million USD for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• 50 million USD for the Institute of Library and Museum Sciences
• 25 million USD for the Kennedy Center for operations and maintenance
• 7.5 million USD for the Smithsonian for salaries and expenses

March 25, 2020

According to the Americans for the Arts, the government has agreed to waive the typical National Endowment for the Arts grants’ matching grant requirements and to waive the requirement for grants to be project-specific. All these new fast-track grants will be for general operating support with no match required.

Non-governmental funding:

• The Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans (MPIPHP) have taken several steps to aid workers in the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees. More than 3.3 million workers in general have filed for unemployment benefits.

March 27, 2020

The Producers Guild of America has created the Producers Guild of America Members Relief Fund. The trade group has more than 8,000 members.

April 5, 2020

Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences pledged 6 million USD to assist industry workers.

April 8, 2020

A coalition of national arts funders has created a 10 million USD fund offering 5,000 USD in relief grants.

April 9, 2020

ViacomCBS launched a one million USD fund to provide support to the crew member, actors, and filmmakers impacted by production shutdown.

April 15, 2020

Performing Rights Organization is creating a fund as part of MusicCares covid-19 Relief Fund to support songwriters, composers, and lyricists (amount TBC).

April 14, 2020

Actors Fund raised 14 million USD, and has received over 10,000 requests for assistance. The fund still requires 6 million USD to cover short-term needs.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 7, 2020

Confinement measures in New York State extended to April 29, 2020

April 21, 2020

All public gatherings scheduled for June in New York were cancelled.

Asia and Middle East

Hong Kong

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1,041 cases
• 4 deaths

Heritage Culture

The Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund has channeled 150 million HKD through Home Affairs Bureau to support the arts sector, of which 50 million HKD is allocated to the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) “Support Scheme for Arts & Cultural Sector”, increasing the total budget to 55 million HKD.

Under the Scheme:

• Grant recipients of HKADC’s 2019-20 Year Grant, Literary Arts Platform Project and Eminent Arts Group Scheme can each apply for up to 130,000 HKD.
• Projects funded by HKADC through the Project Grant (non-publication) and Matching Fund Schemes will receive a direct subsidy of 15,000 HKD and can apply for up to 15,000 HKD further.
• Projects funded under the Project Grant (publication) stream will receive a direct subsidy of 3,000 HKD and can apply for up to 3,000 HKD further.
• Projects funded by HKADC under the Cultural Exchange Scheme, and commissioned projects will receive a direct subsidy of 15,000 HKD.
• Arts projects nut funded by HKADC may receive a subsidy of 15,000 HKD by application.
• Individual art practitioners may receive a maximum of 7,500 HKD by application.

The funding subsidizes primarily arts organizations, groups and practitioners having work from February to April impacted by COVID-19, including performances, exhibitions, rehearsals, preparation and post-event work.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 21, 2020

There is a second two-week extension on social distancing measures, banning public gatherings of more than four and keeping entertainment venues closed (first implemented at the end of March).

India

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 46,476 cases
• 1,571 deaths

May 4, 2020

National lockdown extended by two weeks until May 17, 2020

• Implements zones with different rules. Numerous states are also enforcing their own restrictions.
• Gatherings of 4 or more persons are banned in red zones across the country

Heritage Culture

So far India has launched a 22.5 billion USD economic stimulus package which is mainly aimed at food security measures through cash and food transfers to poor households.

India will announce a second stimulus package of 13 billion USD focusing on small and medium businesses.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism or the Ministry of Sports have not yet announced any sector-specific incentive programs.

April 6, 2020

Science Gallery Bengaluru, a university-linked gallery, is planning an interactive participatory exhibition called Contagion that explores the transmission of emotions, behaviors and diseases.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Sport

All major sporting events that have been cancelled or postponed, including the 2020 International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup, the Indian Open badminton tournament, the Indian Premier League (cricket) and all domestic cricket and soccer leagues.

Culture

In early March, multiple cultural events were cancelled, including the festival of Holi, 21st International Indian Film Academy Award ceremony, India Fashion Week, Padma Awards.

On March 16, all monuments and museums were closed, including the Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra.

Japan

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 15,078 cases
• 536 deaths

May 4, 2020

Japan is extending the state of emergency until May 31, 2020.

April 21, 2020

Japan’s decision to extend state of emergency to come during Golden Week holiday (April 29 to May 6, 2020).

April 16, 2020

State of emergency extended nationwide

April 7, 2020

State of emergency declared for seven regions

February 28, 2020

The governor of Hokkaido prefecture proclaimed a state of emergency beginning on February 28 and asked the population to stay indoors.

Sport

March 24, 2020

The Government of Japan and the International Olympic Committee agreed to delay the Tokyo Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, rescheduled for July 23 to August 8, 2021.

Heritage Culture

April 27, 2020

A reworked supplementary budget of 25.69 trillion JPY (240 billion USD), designed to alleviate the financial impact of the pandemic on the Japanese economy has been submitted to Parliament by ABE Shinzo’s Government.

April 15, 2020

Tokyo plans 800 billion JPY emergency COVID-19 measure, including a package of 500,000 to 1 million JPY payouts for small businesses. A program was set up to recruit up to 4,000 artists from various disciplines, paying each 100,000 JPY for their music, paintings and theatrical performances, for instance, to help with public self-isolation. Additional measures will be announced.

March 31, 2020

According to the 24th Meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters which was held on March 28, emergency economic measures will be prepared within 10 days and a supplementary budget will be submitted.

One of the measures will include revitalizing local communities, targeting industries such as tourism, transportation, food services, event and entertainment businesses. These measures would include bolstering employment and liquidity support, in light of the delaying of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and adjusting tax incentives to help the event operators who had/have to cancel events due to the COVID-19.

March 30, 2020

Owners of cultural facilities (live music venues, nightclubs and theatres) asked for the Japanese government’s compensation to prevent the spread of the virus (#SaveOurSpace petition). The government' response to this petition has not yet been made public.

April 10, 2020

The Japan Arts Council has cancelled performances until April 12, 2020 and further extended the cancellation period up to April 30, 2020 and again until May 31, 2020.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

Closure of businesses and private facilities until May 6, 2020, including live music venues, concert halls, internet cafés and bars in Tokyo.

February 26, 2020

Prime Minister ABE Shinzo issued a request that community gatherings be suspended and asked organizers of large public events to demonstrate self-restraint. There has been a wave of closures to tourist attractions, sporting events, concerts, and festivals.

March 30, 2020

Large and public-funded theaters are closed. Mixed response of small privately-owned theaters. Some cinema and theaters are still operating.

March 16, 2020

Cultural events are cancelled, including the Japan Cultural Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony.

March 2, 2020

The Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo was presented by live streaming and online content.

Singapore

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 19,410 cases
• 18 deaths

Heritage Culture

March 6, 2020

The following relief measures are being implemented in Singapore:

• 1.6 million SGD in grants and subsidies for arts groups: a one-time capability development grant to subsidize the cost of local courses. Organizations identified as National Arts Council (NAC) Major Companies and Seed Grant Companies can apply for up to 10,000 SGD. Other organizations will receive up to 3,000 SGD and individuals, up to 6000 SGD.
• Subsidy for arts practitioners: Those running events in national cultural institutions (between March 7 and June 30) will get a nearly one-third reduction in their venue rental and associated costs.
• New Sustain The ARTs Fund (or stART Fund): 10 million SGD to support approximately 100 smaller arts groups between 2020 and 2022. Some donations from corporations and individuals will be matched by the Cultural Matching Fund.

March 26, 2020

The Government of Singapore will fund an additional 55 million SGD support package as part of the Supplementary Budget. This will include additional support to major companies and leading arts groups (up to the end of 2020) to save jobs, to improve their skills and go digital.

April 14, 2020

Public Service Content Fund (8 million SGD): launched by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to protect the employment of media professionals. The fund includes reduced operating costs and project opportunities for media firms, and subsidized training for practitioners.

South Korea

Cases

May 5, 2020

• cases
• deaths

No new cases reported on May 1, 2020

Sport

May 4, 2020

A baseball game, one of the world’s first major professional sport to return to action, was broadcasted around the globe.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

May 5, 2020

Gradual deconfinement: schools reopened in phases, eventual reopening of museums.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts reopened on April 22, 2020.

All cultural venues were closed and events, including K-pop concerts, suspended as of March 18, 2020.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Expo 2020 Dubai postponed

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 15,192 cases
• 146 deaths

Heritage Culture

April 21, 2020

Expo 2020 is postponed for one year. It is now scheduled to take place from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

April 27, 2020

Dubai Culture will give grants to around 20 UAE-based creatives via Art Jameel initiative. The grants will range from 1,000 to 3,000 USD for up to 20 practitioners.

Earlier in April, Art Jameel launched a 550,000 AED grant program called the Art Jameel Research and Practice Platform to provide micro-funds to artists, writers and curators in the Mena region.

May 5, 2020

Sharjah World Book Capital, SWBC, has partnered with audiobook platform Kitab Sawti, the Arabic language audiobook library, to offer a free 3-month membership to 5,000 people around the world. Visitors will have unlimited access to an audiobook service which contains more than 2,500 titles and has exclusive copyrights to 5,000 Arabic and translated versions of international bestsellers in economics, politics, literature, history, and technology.

AFRICA

South Africa

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 7,220 cases
• 138 deaths

April 11, 2020

State of disaster declared (lasts for three months unless terminated by the government)

March 23, 2020

National lockdown until April 16, 2020

Sport

March 25, 2020

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) announced a relief fund of 150 million ZAR (11.3M CAD) for the sport and cultural sectors (artists, athletes, coaches and technical personnel).

April 17, 2020

Over 300 applications received in the area of sport and 5,000 for the arts sector are currently reviewed by an independent selection panel.

May 4, 2020

The review and selection process has been completed.

Heritage Culture

March 30, 2020

The National Arts Council of South Africa continues to support artists and musicians to livestream the cancelled events on digital platforms.

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) supports include:

• DSAC-funded projects that had to be cancelled will be compensated for the expenditure incurred
• DSAC-funded institutions whose productions have been cancelled from March-June will pay the artists and practitioners already booked
• Cancelled non-DSAC-funded projects can apply for Relief Assistance if they have a national footprint, particularly involving creators from various provinces
• Support for spontaneous project proposals that use online solutions for the sport, arts and culture sectors with digital platforms, video on demand, streaming, podcasts, social media,

March 23, 2020

COVID-19 Arts Grants Support package: 1.5 million USD State Government funding package, including “quick response grants” of 5,000 to 10,000 USD for independent professional artists to undertake professional development or continue their creative practice.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

May 5, 2020

Some mines, manufacturers and retailers resumed operations up to 30% capacity

March 30, 2020

The South Africa Film and Television Awards, Music Awards, the Back to the City Hip-Hop Festivals and Durban July were among the cancelled or postponed events.

Tunisie

Cases

May 5, 2020

• 1 018 cas
• 43 deaths

Heritage Culture

April 4, 2020

The Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs has launched a culture recovery fund with three objectives:

1. support professionals in the public and private artistic and cultural sectors (30,000 technicians, artists, and independent workers, 30% of whom have no fixed salary);
2. support cultural spaces and operators; and
3. relaunch cultural activity (the available amount is not known).

May 5, 2020

A webinar on the theme “Covid-19 et artisanat : Comment préparer la relance?” (COVID-19 and handicrafts: How to prepare the relaunch?) was hosted on May 5, 2020, by Creative Tunisia, a platform supporting entrepreneurial cooperation in Tunisian creative and cultural industries.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

More than 700 activities and festivals have been cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic.

Multilateral Organizations

OECD

Heritage Culture

The OECD is co-hosting two webinars for policy makers and practitioners:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and museums: impact, innovations and planning for post-crisis

• 10 April 2020, 14.00-15.30 CET | Webinar
• Co-organised with ICOM and in partnership with the European Commission, World Cities Culture Forum, nesta, Fondazione di Venezia and Unioncamere Veneto
• Participation open through registration, by 8 April 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and cultural and creative sectors: impact, policy responses and opportunities to rebound after the crisis

• 17 April 2020, 15.00-16.30 CET | Webinar
• Co-organised with the European Creative Business Network (ECBN) and in partnership with the European Commission, World Cities Culture Forum, nesta, Fondazione di Venezia and Unioncamere Veneto
• Participation open through registration, by 15 April 2020

UNESCO

Heritage Culture

Ernesto Ottone, Assistant-Director General for Culture, convened a virtual consultation with regional intergovernmental organizations and development banks on April 17, and a virtual conference with the Ministers of Culture on April 22 to discuss the impacts of the pandemic on the cultural sector as well as the public policies Member States are implementing to mitigate those impacts.

April 9, 2020

UNESCO has launched:

1. The global #ShareOurHeritage campaign to promote access to culture and education on cultural heritage.
2. An online exhibit on several dozens of heritage properties around the world, with technical support from Google Arts & Culture.
3. The #ShareCulture and #ShareOurHeritage campaigns – which will be maintained after the crisis is over –, to encourage reflection on measures to safeguard World Heritage sites and promote sustainable tourism.

April 15, 2020

4. The ResiliArt global platform organized an online debate on World Art Day. Artists, professionals, and key stakeholders from the field of culture launched discussions about the consequences of COVID-19 on their sector so as to influence the development of government policies and measures, and contribute in that regard.

April 27, 2020

Springer Nature, an academic publisher, announced on April 23 that it had signed a framework agreement with UNESCO to promote the publication of open access books on topics such as education, human and natural sciences, culture, information, and communication.

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

UNESCO considers culture to be an essential common good and a source of resilience, recognizes that culture is in crisis, and encourages Member States to support artists and improve access to culture.

Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)

Cases

May 5, 2020

Member countries of the Francophonie with the highest number of deaths to date:

1. France
2. Belgium
3. Canada
4. Switzerland

Heritage Culture

[Translation] “Unfortunately, these numbers will likely grow in the coming days and weeks. Furthermore, we cannot ignore the economic consequences this crisis will have, even in countries not directly affected by the virus…”

The OIF has shared examples of good practices used or solidarity operations conducted in Francophone countries as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, for instance artists who are mobilizing to fight the spread, and projects to counter disinformation: https://www.francophonie.org/covid-19-infos-positives-pratiques-inspirantes-1233 (French only)

Cancelled Events/Gatherings

April 23, 2020

2020 marks the 20th anniversary of multilateral cooperation among Francophone countries; however, the pandemic is expected to have a major impact on special activities that were planned throughout the year.

From the OIF [translation]: “Several demonstrations that were supposed to take place in the coming weeks have been postponed, particularly events planned around the world to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Francophone project.”

The 9th edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie has been postponed to the summer of 2022: The new date for the 9th edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie will be announced soon by the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie (CIJF), following recommendations from its advisory board and consultation with the Conseil permanent de la Francophonie.

Organization of American States (OAS)

Heritage Culture

The OAS launched the "Practical Guide to Inclusive Rights-Focused Responses to COVID-19 in the Americas." The guide seeks to support OAS member states in responding to the pandemic, offering them a series of tools to consider responses that take into account the particular circumstances of groups in a situation of vulnerability.

The OAS General Secretariat calls on member states to pay special attention to their Indigenous populations during the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

April 27, 2020

OAS launched a portal of consultations, forums and repository on the world during and after the pandemic.

May 1, 2020

The High Authorities of the Joint Summit Working Group met for the second time to ratify their commitment in support of member states and multilateralism as an instrument to address multiple challenges the region will face in the post-COVID-19 phase.

Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) has released the document “COVID-19 in Women´s Lives: Reasons to Recognize Differential Impacts.”

April 30, 2020

The Inter-American Network of High Authorities on Policies for Afro-descendant Populations warned of the disproportionate impact on the Afro-descendant population in the region.

Other Notable Measures

International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and Facebook

Cases

N/A

Heritage Culture

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus Fact-Checking Grants (budget of 1 million USD): The International Fact-Checking Network and Facebook have partnered to support the fact-checking community working on the COVID-19 related misinformation. Since January, the IFCN has been coordinating the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance, with more than 100 fact-checkers in at least 45 countries. The partnership will broaden this work and improve its reach.

The budget will be distributed as flash grants (up to 50,000 USD) for projects no longer than six months, including the following activities:

• Translation of fact checks from native languages to different languages
• Multimedia (videos, infographics, podcasts) production about COVID-19
• Working with health experts for evidence-based and scientific coverage
• Audience development initiatives that use innovative formats, such as offline or interactive communication, to better reach people with reliable information
• Fact-checkers supporting public authorities with reliable information for better communication about COVID-19

SONY Interactive Entertainment – “Play at Home” Initiative

Heritage Culture

April 14, 2020

“Play at Home” has two components:

1. Free video games made available on the platform PlayStation.
2. A fund of 10 million USD was established to support independent development partners (game studios).

Google – Global Journalism Emergency Relief Fund

Heritage Culture

April 15, 2020

Google has launched a global Journalism Emergency Fund through the existing Global News initiative to support small and medium-sized news organizations producing original news for local communities (employing between 2 to 100 full-time journalists). Eligible organizations include for-profit and non-profit new organizations, digital, radio and TV broadcasters. The value of the fund has not been yet announced.

On April 2, 2020, the Google News Initiative (a broader effort to support journalism with an initial 300 million USD) announced that it would be spending 6.5 million USD to support fact checking efforts to fight coronavirus-related misinformation, funding that’s already led to tools like the COVID-19 Case Mapper.

Instagram – COVID Art Museum (CAM)

Heritage Culture

The world’s first museum for art born during COVID-19 quarantine where users can submit their art work.

https://www.Instagram.com/CovidArtMuseum/

#CovidArtMuseum

One World: Together at Home concert (April 18, 2020)

Heritage Culture

Lady Gaga and the World Health Organization (WHO) partnered with Global Citizen, a music festival that has been producing a series of stay-at-home, to put on One World: Together at Home, a concert held online on April 18, to show support for health care workers. It raised 127 million USD for COVID-19 relief efforts, to be split between the WHO and charities.

Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble concert (May 26, 2020)

Heritage Culture

A concert bringing together Canadian artists, activists, and athletes to support Food Banks Canada’s 150 million CAD funding campaign as well as frontline workers battling COVID-19. Developed and produced by CBC/Radio-Canada, Insight Productions, and Bell Media Studios, in collaboration with 15 broadcasting groups, this initiative represented the largest multiplatform broadcast of a concert in Canadian history. The concert was presented thanks in part to the support of MADE | NOUS, a movement born out of collaboration between partners within Canada’s entertainment industry.

Une chance qu’on s’a – concert TVA and Télé-Québec (May 10, 2020)

Heritage Culture

A charity event planned for May 10, with artists from the fields of comedy, dance, and music performing to pay tribute to the residents of Quebec in the context of the pandemic and to collect funds in order to support organizations helping seniors and victims of domestic violence.

Federation for European Storytelling (FEST) – Corona Proof Oral Storytelling Projects

Heritage Culture

April 28, 2020

In the current pandemic, the Federation of European Storytelling is planning to assist the digitalization of initiatives and media-supported projects of storytellers to organize their activities for a remote audience, such as livestreaming, video, podcasts, webinars.