COVID-19 Resources for Educators

Unemployment Benefits for Employee Circus Educators
If you have had to stop teaching or had your hours significantly reduced, look up your state’s requirements and apply as soon as possible. Benefits vary by state, but individual states have expanded benefit requirements as federally mandated by the CARES act. It can take a while for applications to be processed and approved in regular times, and currently state offices everywhere are experiencing a huge surge in demand and so applications are taking even longer than usual to review and approve.

Self-employed/Freelance/Independent Contractor/LLC Circus Educators
– Independent contractors in some states are able to apply for state unemployment benefits. Check to see if your state allows this.
– Independent contractors are not eligible for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
– Independent contractors are eligible to apply for the Payment Protection Program under the CARES act.
– COVID-10 Freelance Artist Resources

Funds & Grants
Some funds have been set up to collect money and disperse grants specifically for artists in certain places who are out of work because of COVID-19.
Artist Relief $5k Grants
Coronavirus Artist Relief Funds GoogleSheets List
CERF+ The Artists’ Safety Net Relief
Boston Artist Relief Fund
Grants and Resources for Artists – WBUR
Artist Relief Tree
That’s Our Friend Fund
Alliance of Artist Communities – Emergency Relief Programs List

Teaching Online
Many circus organizations are offering work to instructors to teach online classes. You may also set up your own online classes, but the income you make may be subject to federal and state taxes on independent contractor/freelancer income, whether or not you are were already an independent contractor. As an independent contractor, you are also responsible for self employment tax and may need to pay taxes quarterly.

Federal Economic Impact Payment
IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center – Including eligibility, payment status, and updating bank transfer information.

Tax relief
Individual income tax filing deadlines have been extended from April 15th, 2020 to July 15th, 2020 – this includes independent contractors/self-employed.

Professional Development Resources for Educators (including information about racial justice, accessibility, and privilege)

Circus Up has created a list of resources on Google Classroom that are relevant to social circus work, though are great for all circus educators interested in making their classes more inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive. You must have a google account to access the page. Click here to access the Google Classroom and for more information.

Free Youth Development Training Models from Texas A&M
This 5 part series includes topics on Youth Development Approach, Youth Programming, Youth Diversity and Cultural Competency, Youth Policy and Risk Management, and Foundations of Youth Adult Partnerships. Click here to access.

Video Editing and Sharing
Screencastify: easily record, edit and share videos