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| The Daily Call That 200 Arts Groups Hope Will Help Them Survive | The Daily Call That 200 Arts Groups Hope Will Help Them Survive |
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| It’s hard enough to Zoom with your mother. | It’s hard enough to Zoom with your mother. |
| Imagine being one of the more than 200 arts leaders who for the past month have been getting on the same daily Zoom call seeking comfort, counsel and connection as they try to stave off a raft of institutional failures prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. | Imagine being one of the more than 200 arts leaders who for the past month have been getting on the same daily Zoom call seeking comfort, counsel and connection as they try to stave off a raft of institutional failures prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. |
| More than just a logistical feat, the phone call has become a singular measurement of how worried, desperate and vulnerable cultural organizations have become since the virus hit. And just as notable, how much they are actually acting these days like the “arts community” to which they often aspire. | More than just a logistical feat, the phone call has become a singular measurement of how worried, desperate and vulnerable cultural organizations have become since the virus hit. And just as notable, how much they are actually acting these days like the “arts community” to which they often aspire. |
| More typically, the city’s cultural institutions compete for audiences, donors and attention. Museums rarely interact with performing arts groups. Manhattan cultural behemoths don’t often communicate with their scrappier counterparts in other boroughs. | More typically, the city’s cultural institutions compete for audiences, donors and attention. Museums rarely interact with performing arts groups. Manhattan cultural behemoths don’t often communicate with their scrappier counterparts in other boroughs. |
| Yet on these calls, cultural organizations that span the city — some from Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue, others from unheralded blocks in Brooklyn and the Bronx — are trading tips for accessing federal funds, strategies for streaming and thoughts about summer programming. The big fish are helping the small, as they both absorb guidance from local and federal officials who periodically join the conversation. | Yet on these calls, cultural organizations that span the city — some from Museum Mile on Fifth Avenue, others from unheralded blocks in Brooklyn and the Bronx — are trading tips for accessing federal funds, strategies for streaming and thoughts about summer programming. The big fish are helping the small, as they both absorb guidance from local and federal officials who periodically join the conversation. |
| “The calls have really been a lifeline,” said Ellen Kodadek, the executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall, a multidisciplinary arts center in Queens. “It’s been this remarkable, consistent day-to-day way to touch base with one another.” | “The calls have really been a lifeline,” said Ellen Kodadek, the executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall, a multidisciplinary arts center in Queens. “It’s been this remarkable, consistent day-to-day way to touch base with one another.” |
| The rolling gathering is especially concerned about the small, community-based cultural organizations in neighborhoods hardest hit by the virus that are now the most endangered. | The rolling gathering is especially concerned about the small, community-based cultural organizations in neighborhoods hardest hit by the virus that are now the most endangered. |
| Many of them are anxiously tracking the hearings that began last week on New York City's budget, which will outline where cuts because of the coronavirus are likely to hurt arts groups that count on an annual infusion of city support. | Many of them are anxiously tracking the hearings that began last week on New York City's budget, which will outline where cuts because of the coronavirus are likely to hurt arts groups that count on an annual infusion of city support. |
| “That’s really where the rubber is going to meet the road for culture and the arts — really for all nonprofits — unless we get a stimulus package,” said Jimmy Van Bramer of Queens, the chairman of the City Council committee that oversees cultural affairs, who said he has been on several of the calls. | “That’s really where the rubber is going to meet the road for culture and the arts — really for all nonprofits — unless we get a stimulus package,” said Jimmy Van Bramer of Queens, the chairman of the City Council committee that oversees cultural affairs, who said he has been on several of the calls. |
| “This is an existential threat to the survival of many of these organizations,” he added. “Even the larger ones are really struggling under the weight of what they’re faced with, so it’s very smart for them to gather and remind themselves that they’re not alone and they’re not powerless.” | “This is an existential threat to the survival of many of these organizations,” he added. “Even the larger ones are really struggling under the weight of what they’re faced with, so it’s very smart for them to gather and remind themselves that they’re not alone and they’re not powerless.” |
| The calls are led by Taryn Sacramone, the executive director of the Queens Theater, and Lucy Sexton, the executive director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts, an advocacy group. They argue that culture employs 400,000 workers and generates $110 billion in economic activity for the city. | The calls are led by Taryn Sacramone, the executive director of the Queens Theater, and Lucy Sexton, the executive director of New Yorkers for Culture & Arts, an advocacy group. They argue that culture employs 400,000 workers and generates $110 billion in economic activity for the city. |
| “This is a key industry, a key part of our souls, a key part of our economy,” Ms. Sexton said. “We’re going to need it.” | “This is a key industry, a key part of our souls, a key part of our economy,” Ms. Sexton said. “We’re going to need it.” |
| The call takes place weekdays at 3 p.m., and lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Some people participate on video. Some simply call in. | The call takes place weekdays at 3 p.m., and lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Some people participate on video. Some simply call in. |
| At the beginning of each call, everyone is muted, and there is usually a presentation by a working group about some issue facing nonprofits. But they can unmute themselves to ask a question or raise a topic. If they wish to pose a question anonymously, they can send it directly to Ms. Sacramone so she can ask. | At the beginning of each call, everyone is muted, and there is usually a presentation by a working group about some issue facing nonprofits. But they can unmute themselves to ask a question or raise a topic. If they wish to pose a question anonymously, they can send it directly to Ms. Sacramone so she can ask. |
| Last Friday, for example, one organization asked whether others had tried charging admission for online programming. That prompted a discussion about revenue potential for streaming content, as well as software recommendations for that purpose. | Last Friday, for example, one organization asked whether others had tried charging admission for online programming. That prompted a discussion about revenue potential for streaming content, as well as software recommendations for that purpose. |
| “When you start to think about 200 people on a call you think, ‘How does that even work?’” Ms. Sacramone said. “But a lot of people are just listening and hearing the topics of the day and don’t plan to speak.” | “When you start to think about 200 people on a call you think, ‘How does that even work?’” Ms. Sacramone said. “But a lot of people are just listening and hearing the topics of the day and don’t plan to speak.” |
| Of course there are interruptions. “We have kids enter the frame all the time, and people asking a question with somebody sitting in their lap,” Ms. Sacramone said. “That’s the reality right now.” | Of course there are interruptions. “We have kids enter the frame all the time, and people asking a question with somebody sitting in their lap,” Ms. Sacramone said. “That’s the reality right now.” |
| But the psychological boost from meeting as a group is empowering, as is the advice being shared on best practices. | But the psychological boost from meeting as a group is empowering, as is the advice being shared on best practices. |
| When Madaha Kinsey-Lamb, the founder and executive director of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx, fretted on the call over how to give the organization’s dance students a virtual year-end recital, the Metropolitan Opera offered to share its experience with an online gala. | When Madaha Kinsey-Lamb, the founder and executive director of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx, fretted on the call over how to give the organization’s dance students a virtual year-end recital, the Metropolitan Opera offered to share its experience with an online gala. |
| When Ms. Kinsey-Lamb wasn’t sure whether its insurance covered a business interruption like Covid-19, Anna Glass, the executive director of Dance Theater of Harlem, offered to look the policy over. | When Ms. Kinsey-Lamb wasn’t sure whether its insurance covered a business interruption like Covid-19, Anna Glass, the executive director of Dance Theater of Harlem, offered to look the policy over. |
| “That kind of thing is just wonderful,” said Ms. Kinsey-Lamb, whose center provides music, dance, theater, voice and martial arts classes for more than 700 students a year. | “That kind of thing is just wonderful,” said Ms. Kinsey-Lamb, whose center provides music, dance, theater, voice and martial arts classes for more than 700 students a year. |
| There are other examples around the country of arts organizations trying to band together to get through the pandemic. In San Diego, 28 theaters began a joint campaign to ask for community support, while in Chicago, more than 100 theaters decided to collectively raise money for a Chicago Theater Workers Relief Fund. | There are other examples around the country of arts organizations trying to band together to get through the pandemic. In San Diego, 28 theaters began a joint campaign to ask for community support, while in Chicago, more than 100 theaters decided to collectively raise money for a Chicago Theater Workers Relief Fund. |
| Shared adversity has forced the organizations to focus on what they have in common — vulnerable financial portfolios in the best of times, often heavily reliant on ticket sales. Now, with performances and exhibitions canceled for the foreseeable future, they are all collectively — indubitably — in full-blown crisis. | Shared adversity has forced the organizations to focus on what they have in common — vulnerable financial portfolios in the best of times, often heavily reliant on ticket sales. Now, with performances and exhibitions canceled for the foreseeable future, they are all collectively — indubitably — in full-blown crisis. |
| “I was concerned before the pandemic,” said Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Met. | “I was concerned before the pandemic,” said Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Met. |
| That opera company, with an annual operating budget of $308 million, is projecting a loss of $60 million, outpacing the damage anticipated by Flushing Town Hall, which has an operating budget of $2.3 million dollars and is projecting a loss of $250,000. | That opera company, with an annual operating budget of $308 million, is projecting a loss of $60 million, outpacing the damage anticipated by Flushing Town Hall, which has an operating budget of $2.3 million dollars and is projecting a loss of $250,000. |
| Updated June 5, 2020 | |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| But the smaller arts groups generally lack the major endowments and deep-pocketed donors who offer some kind of a safety net for the larger institutions. Just last week, the Secret Theater, a for-profit venue in Queens, announced that it would close, as did Shetler Studios & Theaters, a rental facility in Midtown Manhattan. | But the smaller arts groups generally lack the major endowments and deep-pocketed donors who offer some kind of a safety net for the larger institutions. Just last week, the Secret Theater, a for-profit venue in Queens, announced that it would close, as did Shetler Studios & Theaters, a rental facility in Midtown Manhattan. |
| “This is a crisis that is causing us to have to think about our business model differently and how we serve our community,” said Alec Duffy, the founder of Jack, a 50-seat performance space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. “To be connected and having conversations and sharing ideas with leaders of multimillion-dollar arts organizations — it’s unprecedented.” | “This is a crisis that is causing us to have to think about our business model differently and how we serve our community,” said Alec Duffy, the founder of Jack, a 50-seat performance space in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. “To be connected and having conversations and sharing ideas with leaders of multimillion-dollar arts organizations — it’s unprecedented.” |
| At an emotional level, Mr. Duffy added, the calls have made this period less isolating. “Before I started getting on the calls, I felt very disconnected,” he said. “It was a relief to hear there were so many people in the theater community experiencing similar questions and crises.” | At an emotional level, Mr. Duffy added, the calls have made this period less isolating. “Before I started getting on the calls, I felt very disconnected,” he said. “It was a relief to hear there were so many people in the theater community experiencing similar questions and crises.” |
| The participants have broken out into different working groups around specific subject areas, such as insurance, advocacy and data. How to apply for a coronavirus relief loan through the Paycheck Protection Program? What will programming look like for the fall? | The participants have broken out into different working groups around specific subject areas, such as insurance, advocacy and data. How to apply for a coronavirus relief loan through the Paycheck Protection Program? What will programming look like for the fall? |
| “Whether you’re a large zoo or a one-person shop with a 20-seat theater,” Ms. Sacramone said, “we’re all asking ourselves these same questions.” | “Whether you’re a large zoo or a one-person shop with a 20-seat theater,” Ms. Sacramone said, “we’re all asking ourselves these same questions.” |
| The conversations continue off the calls. “Time and time again somebody is considering an idea and another person in the room has already tried it or is about to try it,” said Alejandra Duque Cifuentes, the executive director of Dance/NYC, a service organization. “Coalitions are formed so that resources can be more effectively used.” | The conversations continue off the calls. “Time and time again somebody is considering an idea and another person in the room has already tried it or is about to try it,” said Alejandra Duque Cifuentes, the executive director of Dance/NYC, a service organization. “Coalitions are formed so that resources can be more effectively used.” |
| For Ms. Kinsey-Lamb, of Mind-Builders, the impact of the daily calls has been emotional as well as practical. They affirm, she said, a Desmond Tutu quote that is painted on her center’s wall behind the reception desk: “One day we will wake up and discover we are family.” | For Ms. Kinsey-Lamb, of Mind-Builders, the impact of the daily calls has been emotional as well as practical. They affirm, she said, a Desmond Tutu quote that is painted on her center’s wall behind the reception desk: “One day we will wake up and discover we are family.” |