Weekly Resources for our Community
The Brooklyn Museum is first and foremost a community museum and we're here for you with our new weekly blog series chock full of resources for families, artists, local businesses and more. We know many of our friends are facing unprecedented economic and personal difficulties so we hope this helps you through these challenging times. If you have questions, or have more you wish to see or to spotlight, reach out. We want to hear from you. Please email [email protected].
Follow Our Elected Officials For News
The Office of the Brooklyn Borough President provides the most up-to-date information and resources to Brooklynites. Follow these pages regularly and follow Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams on social media for real-time updates.
Follow updates and news from Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo on Facebook and Twitter. Cumbo serves as the Council Majority leader for Brooklyn’s 35th District- Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Bed-Stuy.
Check out New York City Council Member Brad Lander’s resource page aimed to help NYC-based freelancers and artists navigate these uncertain times. Have your voice heard, fill out the survey and explore what benefits might be available to you. Follow him on Twitter for important updates.
Congresswoman for the 9th District, Yvette D. Clark is working hard in Congress to support our local communities. Follow the Congresswoman on her Twitter to receive updates on what is going on in Washington DC and resources available in your ‘hood!
Local Business Highlights of the Week
Though our favorite boozy bakery, Butter and Scotch, is currently closed, you can purchase a gift card on their website—50% of all gift card sales go to their employees! Link to support.
Following a break for staff, our beloved hang out spot, Chavelas, reopened on April 13th for takeout and delivery! Try their tasty margaritas and sangrias during their happy hour takeout from 4 to 7 every day of the week! Contactless delivery is available when requested. Click here for more information.
Ease your craving of Thai food in a fresh and healthy way with Nourish Thai home cooking. This Prospect Heights hotspot is still open for pick up or delivery. Pick up available by window only.
Support for Artists, Freelancers, and Gig Workers
To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the US. Learn more at https://www.artistrelief.org/.
Anonymous Was A Woman (AWAW) and New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) are providing emergency relief grants to support women-identifying visual artists over 40 impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Apply for PEN America‘s Writers’ Emergency Fund, who will provide grants of $500 to $1,000 to fiction and non-fiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists.
Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. Learn more about the program here.
Visit this COVID-10 Freelance Artist Resources page for more information about relief for artists.
Resources for Children and Families
The New York City Department of Education is providing free meals daily to NYC school children at 400 locations city-wide. Learn more here or text ‘NYC FOOD’ or ‘NYC COMIDA’ to 877-877 to find a location.
Check out Foodbank NYC’s interactive map with providers who have switched to “grab and go” meals and pantry bags to minimize the risk of exposure.
Know a college student looking to help others or a younger student looking for help with their schoolwork? Sign up to volunteer or get free tutoring help here.
Learn more about the New York City Department of Education’s Regional Enrichment Centers, open to children whose parents/guardians are first responders, health care providers, transit workers, and other key personnel.
NYC is assisting New Yorkers in Crisis by providing free, confidential mental health support. Counselors are accessible via phone, text, or chat. Learn more at NYC Well.
Spectrum is partnering with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of tools to help students learn remotely, open our WiFi hotspots for public use, and continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, our high-speed broadband program to eligible low-income households.
Ways to Volunteer and Serve
Masbia Soup Kitchen in Boro Park and Flatbush is in urgent need of volunteers to help package food for delivery. Work can be done with minimal contact, and they have gloves and cleaning supplies.
Help package food into family-sized portions for delivery with City Harvest.
Support NYC’s seniors by providing friendly visits via telephone. Learn more at New York Cares.
Deliver groceries and other supplies to elderly and immunocompromised people in your neighborhood with Invisible Hands.
Stand firm with your fellow New Yorkers at this time: Complete the #2020Census. Billions are at stake. Fill out the census today at my2020census.gov #GetCountedNYC
Stephen Salmieri (American, born 1945). Coney Island, 1972. Gelatin silver photograph. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Edward Klein, 82.201.44. © artist or artist's estate
