Emergency Resources for Film + Music Workforce - Oklahoma Film and Music Office

The Oklahoma Film + Music Office is aware of the enormous financial burden to those whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19. We are deeply saddened that it is resulting in loss of work due to venue closures, halts on productions, festival and event cancellations, and travel restrictions. To help support the concerns of the industry during this time, we have expanded our website to include organizations providing economic relief funds to qualifying applicants.

For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, we encourage you to follow the CDC, Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and Oklahoma State Government websites.

For Considerations and Resources for Oklahoma Filmmaking during COVID-19, visit the Health + Safety tab on the Film Resources page.

The Oklahoma State Health Department (OSHD) announced an online portal for Oklahomans to submit their demographic details, medical history, COVID-19 history and contact information to gather information regarding your readiness for COVID-19 vaccination, and offer guidance and instruction to ensure your safety. Follow the links below to access this portal and for more information.

Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers
Americans for the Arts is proud to have been brought on as the research partner in that effort, and in that role was asked to develop and deploy the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, which is designed to capture financial and creative impact of COVID-19 on creative workers, highlight the resiliency and generosity of the creative sector, and make sure that the 5 million creative workers in the U.S. are supported and heard during this ongoing crisis and the eventual recovery.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.

Entertainment Community Fund (formerly Actors Fund Emergency Assistance)
The Entertainment Community Fund is an emergency financial assistance program that provides temporary financial assistance to those with documented financial need due to unforeseen circumstances.

Oklahoma Commerce – COVID-19 Resources
The COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) event is a rapidly changing situation and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is closely monitoring updates and guidance from our federal and state partners. Commerce staff have compiled a list of common SBA Loan Application FAQ’s.

Oklahoma Unemployment Benefits
Oklahoma unemployment benefits will now be extended to self-employed and 1099 “gig” workers. Acceptance and approval applications for benefits is determined only by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

OKC Rescue Program
Oklahoma City business owners and non-profits with 100 or fewer full-time employees can apply for financial support from the OKC Rescue Program to help recover from the impacts of COVID 19. The program covers business services like marketing, accounting, or business planning; outdoor facade improvements; or COVID-19 mitigation expenses like ventilation and outdoor seating.

SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA members who are in an emergency financial crisis related to COVID-19 may request assistance to cover basic expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities and medical bills. To apply to the fund, members must have paid their dues through October 2019.

The Motion Picture Television Fund
The Motion Picture Television Fund is here to help those members of our industry workforce who are undergoing hardship due to COVID-19 related issues—thanks to the generosity of our community. Call the intake line at (323) 634-3888. (Application is not available online – only via phone, but click the link above for the website and other resources they offer.)

Tulsa County Film Recovery Program
The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC) created the Tulsa County Film Recovery Program (“Film Tulsa Fund”) to focus on the goal of driving an economic boost through film production and providing education to Tulsa County’s film industry while growing the workforce. This program addresses the negative economic impact on Tulsa’s film industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal was passed by the Tulsa County Commissioners for allocation of Tulsa County American Rescue Act funding in December 2021 and goes into effect March 2022 with $600,000 available funding for productions meeting specific criteria. The Film Tulsa Fund is administered by Tulsa FMAC, a division of Tulsa Regional Tourism which is housed at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. The Film Tulsa Fund is available for productions filming in and around Tulsa County from March-December 2022. Productions that apply for the Film Tulsa Fund will be eligible for 3% of their total Tulsa County spend (Minimum spend in Tulsa County must be $50,000). Maximum cash rebate to not exceed $150,000 per production.

Bluegrass Trust Fund
As a commitment to our professional bluegrass community, the IBMA Trust Fund Board of Trustees has set aside up to $150,000 of current assets for COVID-19 crisis assistance and has established an account specifically for COVID-19 Relief.

Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund
Financial assistance in time of extraordinary need, emergency or catastrophe to individuals who are or have been employed full time in a facet of the country music industry (i.e. performer, songwriter, publisher, radio, session musician, etc.).

Jazz Foundation of America
Musicians who have made a living playing blues, jazz and roots music know they can call our office at any time or walk through our doors for help in solving an emergency. We average 30 individual musician emergency cases a day and approximately 9,000 assists every year. We prevent homelessness with housing assistance, keep artists healthy with pro bono medical care and provide financial support that keeps the lights on and food on the table.

Music Health Alliance
Music Health Alliance’s mission is to Heal the Music by providing access to healthcare through services that PROTECT, DIRECT & CONNECT music professionals with medical and financial solutions.

Musicians Foundation
Musicians Foundation is formed to foster the interests and advance the condition and social welfare of professional musicians and to provide voluntary aid and assistance to professional musicians and their families in case of need. (Est. 1914)

Pinetop Perkins Foundation
The primary mission of The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career (MasterClass Workshop Experience); and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career (Pinetop Assistance League).

Red Dirt Relief Fund
As an organization that provides a safety net of emergency assistance to Oklahoma music people, the Red Dirt Relief Fund cannot imagine a more critical time to come to their aid. The Red Dirt Relief Fund, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has provided more than $170,000 to 50+ music people in 21 Oklahoma cities and towns since its inception in 2012. Grant recipients’ situations range from loss of work after accidents, chronic illness or medical emergencies to loss of property due to fire and tornado. $50,000 in COVID-19 relief has been pledged for Oklahoma music professionals.

Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund
Sweet Relief is here to provide immediate assistance and we have created this DONOR-DIRECTED FUND with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.

The Blues Foundation HART Fund
The Blues Foundation established the HART Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) for Blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. The Fund provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care as well as funeral and burial expenses. Throughout the year at various events the HART Fund provides free health screenings for musicians, with services including but not limited to checking blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, prostate cancer, Hep C, anemia, thyroid, kidney and liver testing via blood work.

Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture’s Play Tulsa Music (Music Recovery Program)
Play Tulsa Music funding is now available for Tulsa County venues to be used exclusively for offsetting 50% of a musician/band performance fee incurred between April 1 and December 31, 2022. The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC) created the Tulsa County Music Recovery Program (Play Tulsa Music) with the goal to create an economic boost to the music ecosystem throughout Tulsa County, as well as help local musicians and the live music sector get back to performing. Play Tulsa Music is focused on providing job opportunities for musicians and support positions associated with live music performances.

Event Safety Alliance
The Event Safety Alliance, headed by ESA vice president Steven Adelman and operations director Jacob Worek, have released official safety guidelines for live music venues in order to prepare for their eventual reopening, according to Billboard. This news is certainly exciting, as it if the first step toward returning to live music that has been taken since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the live music world. While the guidelines have been released, tours and concerts are still being cancelled and postponed. Listen here to the Event Safety Alliance podcast for additional news and guidance on reopening safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Open-air Nightlife and COVID-19: Managing Outdoor Space & Sound
In response to the severe and increasing vulnerability of global nighttime economies and cultures caused by COVID-19, a global collaboration of some of the foremost minds on nightlife governance and urban planning, spearheaded by nightlife advocacy agency, VibeLab, has created the Global Nighttime Recovery Plan (GNRP).

Resources to Help Ensure Accessibility of Your Virtual Events for People with Disabilities
Since the start of the current COVID-19 crisis, artists and arts and culture organizations have been proactive in reaching out to their audiences and communities through webinars, livestreamed performances, virtual classes, and virtual visual art collections and museum tours. Cultural organizations should remember to ensure that these invaluable resources are fully accessible to people with disabilities, including those with vision, hearing, and learning disabilities.

ASCAP Wellness Service for Members
If creating music is your life, ASCAP’s mission is to support you every step of the way. And that means supporting the whole you. That’s why we’re so proud to introduce the ASCAP Wellness Program, designed especially for our music creator members, intended to help nourish your body, mind and spirit so you can be your creative best.

Backline
Backline helps connect music industry professionals and their families with a trusted network of mental health and wellness providers

Come Together: Music Industry Support Group
The support groups will aim to address the anxieties associated with COVID-19’s effects on the music industry, provide information and resources, and support each other during this difficult time.

Entertainment Health Services
We know it can be difficult to navigate a career while struggling to have a life of your own, especially in the entertainment industry. That’s why EHS offers a comprehensive list of counseling and life coaching services that assists our clients with managing the day-to-day stress in entertainment as well as balancing personal life struggles.

Lifeline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Mental Health: Entertainment Community Fund (formerly Actors Fund)
Mental Health. Our licensed clinicians help industry professionals and their families deal with and provide ongoing support services for issues like work and personal stress, anxiety, depression and life transitions.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to responding to COVID-19. Oklahomans are resilient and we at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services are here for you during this time of uncertainty.

Oklahoma Museums Association
Wellbeing is an important part of our lives each day, especially now as we face a unique set of challenges. Learning how to take care of yourself is an important step, not only in the present, but for the rest of your life. How you address your wellbeing‒whether it be emotional, physical, social, workplace, or societal‒will improve your quality of life.

Cherokee Nation Film Office
The Cherokee Nation Film Office is aware of the immense impact COVID-19 has had on the film industry, and we have been working to compile resources for those who may be directly or indirectly affected.

Folk Alliance International: Ask an Expert
Join a group of industry experts to discuss the legal and operational impacts of widespread COVID-19 closures on the performing arts industry.

National Independent Venue Association
Independent venue hubs are critical to their local economies and tax bases as employers, tourism destinations, and revenue generators for neighboring businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail. Independent venues exist in every state across the country; they were the first to be closed, they will be the last to open.

Tulsa Film, Music, Arts, & Culture
The mission of Tulsa Film, Music, Arts, & Culture is to develop and connect resources to grow and enhance the Region’s creative industries + promoting Tulsa as a creative hub and cultural destination