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Corona crisis: assistance for artists and self-employed persons from the cultural and creative industries

At this point, we will give you an overview of aid and support measures that can be supplemented with Corona Emergency Aid from the state and federal government. You can find further important FAQs about all current Corona Aids here. The list will be updated continuously. However, this list does not claim to be exhaustive and we would like to point out that the information is not legally binding, but we hope that we can help you here.

CONTENT:

1. INFORMATION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE SECTORS

2. AID AND SUPPORT MEASURES 
   SERVICES OF THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY
   SHORT-TIME WORK
   SUSPENSION AND REDUCTION OF TAX PAYMENTS
   CHILD SUPPLEMENT
   CHILDREN'S SICK PAY
   ARTISTS' SOCIAL INSURANCE (KSK)
   OTHER HELP OFFERS

 3. HANDLING OF SUBSIDIES
    PROJECT FUNDING

 4. LEGAL RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION
    CANCELLATION FEES
    FAQ

 5. FURTHER INFORMATION
 


1. INFORMATION FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE SECTORS

- architecture: Architektenkammer Berlin
- fine arts: Bundesverband bildender Künstler*innen
- design and fashion: Allianz deutscher Designer and Fashion Council Germany
- film and cinema: FFA Filmförderungsanstalt, Bundesverband Schauspiel and HDF KINO
- games and interface: Game-Verband der deutschen Gamesbranche
- music: Berlin Music Commission, Club Commission and Deutsche Orchestervereinigung
- dance und theater: Tanzraum Berlin and LAFT Berlin
- advertising & PR: Gesamtverband Kommunikationsagenturen
- literature & publishing: lettrétage


 

2. AID AND SUPPORT MEASURES


SERVICES OF THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

Self-employed persons have the possibility to register as unemployed, provided that they have taken out unemployment insurance. Those who do not have unemployment insurance can also apply for basic security (Arbeitslosengeld II), also known as Hartz IV. In addition, the rules on the protection of assets have been simplified. Further information can be obtained from the Federal Employment Agency. Kreatives Sachsen presents instructions for application in a video. In cooperation with Verdi, we have collected information and instructions for the application process in this document. The video and the document are only available in German. 


SHORT-TIME WORK

Companies with at least one employee can apply for short-time work compensation. In the case of short-time work compensation, the Federal Employment Agency pays 60 percent of the lost net wage if a company sends its employees on short-time work. The possibility for easier access and the duration of short-time work compensation has  recently been extended once again. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.


SUSPENSION AND REDUCTION OF TAX PAYMENTS

Upon application, current advance payments for income tax or corporation tax may be reduced or suspended. Late payment surcharges can be waived and enforcement measures can also be waived temporarily. Please contact the tax office responsible for you directly. More information here. Overall, many questions arise about the tax valuation of Corona aid and scholarships and scholarship-type grants in times of pandemic. These often require individual answers. The fact sheet on the income tax exemption of scholarships by the Berlin law firm Laaser is therefore also helpful. If you are unsure about the tax credit of benefits, you will find a template at the bottom of the fact sheet, which can be used for individual inquiries at the responsible tax office.


CHILD SUPPLEMENT

If the income is not enough for the whole family, parents or legal guardians can receive a child supplement in addition to child benefit. However, the application for the child supplement must be submitted separately to the family fund. Further information here.


CHILDREN'S SICK PAY (KINDERKRANKENGELD)

If parents suffer a loss of earnings due to corona-related kindergarten and school closures, they are entitled to children's sick pay. This entitlement only applies to self-employed persons who are also entitled to sick pay. Members of the KSK are generally entitled to sick pay and thus also to children's sick pay. In contrast to "normal" sick pay, children's sick pay is paid from the first day of illness or daycare and school closure. If there is no entitlement to sick pay, compensation can be claimed in accordance with the Infection Protection Act.


ARTISTS' SOCIAL INSURANCE (KSK)

The Artists' Social Insurance Fund (KSK) has taken various measures for insured persons to cushion financial hardship. More details can be found here.


OTHER HELP OFFERS

(1) The NEUSTART KULTUR program aims to strengthen the infrastructure of small and medium-sized cultural enterprises after the break caused by the Corona virus. The facilities include museums, exhibition halls, memorials, venues for concert, dance and theatre as well as socio-cultural centers. Click here to get in touch or for further information. An overview of the program is also available on the website of the Kulturförderberatung.

(2) #AlarmstufeRot emergency aid: The non-profit association #AlarmstufeRot pays emergency aid to those in need of economic assistance from the event industry. This is financed by donations. You can find more information here.

(3) Under the motto #BookNowListenLater, CouponConcerts wants to help independent musicians get over the crisis. For this purpose, concerts for the future (when it is possible again) are arranged with private individuals via the Coupon Concerts platform. The private individuals buy a voucher for the concert and so the musicians can already receive the money for future concerts during the crisis. You can find out more under this link.

(4) #CoronaKuenstlerHilfe collects donations to support artists financially. Read more about the application here.

(5) Berlin Collective Action e.V. exists to support those suffering from the violence and risk of economic consequences caused by COVID-19. For more information about the programme, click here.

(6) The German Orchestra Foundation collects donations for self-employed musicians under #MusikerNothilfe and awards scholarships to musicians of all styles. Please check the website to see if there are any distributions of donations at the moment.

 


3. HANDLING OF SUBSIDIES
 

PROJECT FUNDING

If corona-related projects cannot be carried out as planned, the question arises: How will already approved subsidies be handled? Project sponsors who have to cancel events or trips should contact the funding agency directly to find out how to deal with already approved funding. For all those who have already received funding from the Senate Department for Culture and Europe, there is an information sheet on how to deal with funded projects affected by Covid-19. In any case there is an obligation to inform the institution.

 


4. LEGAL RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION

CANCELLATION FEES

Whether you receive a cancellation fee from the client depends on your individual contract conditions. Agreements made verbally or via SMS/WhatsApp are also valid. When concluding new contracts, make sure that there are regulations on cancellation fees. If you have already provided partial services in a project, you are entitled to at least a pro-rata fee. Further important information can be found here.


FAQ

- Where can I find information on the right of residence? Information from the Berlin State Office for Immigration
- Is Corona a case of force majeure? Legal situation 
 


5. FURTHER INFORMATION

- Information from Kultursenat, Wirtschaftssenat and Berlin Partner
- Overview of Deutscher Kulturrat of all federal and state programs concerning Corona 
- Handout for the support of independent and freelance cultural workers from ver.di


CURRENT NEWS, SURVEYS AND PUBLICATIONS:

You can find them daily on Creative City Berlin here.

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