COVID-19 Coronavirus Resources

General Information - State and City Guidance

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs is committed to helping cultural organizations follow New York State’s “New York Forward” reopening plan and guidance as they plan their reopening strategies. Since Phase 2, which began on June 22nd, office workers in the non-profit sector have been permitted to return to their workplaces subject to occupancy and physical distancing requirements. New York State’s mandatory procedures and recommended best practices are outlined in the “Office-Based Work Guidelines for Employers and Employees.” If your organization chooses to permit staff to return to in-person work spaces, your organization is required to fill out the “New York Forward Business Affirmation." Links to the relevant documents are included below. Please note that as of July 20, NYC has entered Phase 4, but not all non profit cultural organizations may resume normal operations. To determine if your organization is eligible to reopen to the public in Phase 4, use the Business Reopening Lookup Tool below.


New York City Department of Cultural Affairs RTO Checklist
Review the Complete Checklist


New York Forward General Information for New York City
https://forward.ny.gov/reopening-new-york-city


NYC Business Reopening Guide
https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/reopening-guide


Office-Based Work Guidelines for Employers and Employees
https://www.governor.ny.gov/site/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/OfficesSummaryGuidelines.pdf


Interim Guidance for Office-Based Work During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
https://www.governor.ny.gov/site/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/offices-interim-guidance.pdf


New York Forward Business Affirmation
https://forms.ny.gov/s3/ny-forward-affirmation


Phase 4 Guidance
https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries


New York Forward Business Reopening Lookup Tool
https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward


Reopening Guides
Related Guides and Resources
NYC Museum Reopening Task Force
Webinars



Reopening Guides


American Repertory Theater Roadmap for Recovery and Resilience for Theater
https://americanrepertorytheater.org/roadmap-for-recovery-and-resilience-for-theater/

Artnet News: “How Should a Museum Reopen in a Post-COVID World? Here Is Everything You Need to Know to Do It Safely, According to Experts”
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/museum-reopening-table-1867743?mc_cid=9729d1e888&mc_eid=2c2b135b21


ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) - “Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/ashrae%20journal/2020journaldocuments/72-74_ieq_schoen.pdf


Association of Zoos & Aquariums Reopening Webinar Series
https://www.aza.org/webinars

Cushman & Wakefield - “Recovery Readiness: A How-to Guide For Reopening Your Workplace”
https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/insights/covid-19/recovery-readiness-a-how-to-guide-for-reopening-your-workplace


The Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide
https://www.eventsafetyalliance.org/esa-reopening-guide


Facilities Health
https://facilitieshealth.com/


The Global Association for the Attractions Industry Reopening Guidance: Considerations for the Attractions Industry
https://www.iaapa.org/reopening-guidance-considerations-attractions-industry

Museum Association of New York - Re-Opening Museums
https://nysmuseums.org/COVID19resources#reopening


National Endowment for the Arts - “The Road Forward”
Review the publication.


NYC Museums Reopening Task Force Guidelines
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcla/downloads/pdf/NYC-Museum-Reopening-TaskForce-COVID-19-Guidelines-Reopening-NYCMuseums.pdf


Performing Arts Center Consortium Guide to Reopening Theatrical Venues
https://www.ams-analytics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PACC_Reopening_Advisory-Draft-Ver4.pdf

Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Information Hub: A COVID-19 Research Project
https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html


Related Guides and Resources

Actors' Equity Association COVID-19 Safety Resources for Producers
https://www.actorsequity.org/news/PR/ProducerResources/


American Alliance of Museums - COVID-19 Resources & Information for the Museum Field
https://www.aam-us.org/programs/about-museums/covid-19-resources-information-for-the-museum-field/


ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) General COVID-19 Page
https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resources


Citywide Office of Occupational Safety and Health
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/agencies/citywide-occupational-safety-health.page


DC37 COVID-19 Information
https://www.dc37covid19.net/


IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) - Germicidal Ultraviolet Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.ies.org/standards/committee-reports/


International Association of Museum Facility Administrators
https://www.iamfa.org/covid-19


International Council of Museums - Museums and end of lockdown: Ensuring the safety of the public and staff
https://icom.museum/en/covid-19/resources/museums-and-end-of-lockdown-ensuring-the-safety-of-the-public-and-staff-2/


Learning Bridges: The NYC Mayor’s Office of Contract Services is seeking businesses, including non-profit organizations, to help provide child care opportunities on days when children are not in school during the 2020-2021 School Year. View the RFI.


NYC COVID-19 Resources for Businesses and Nonprofits
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/businesses/businesses-and-nonprofits.page

NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Resources

  • Building Operations Survey Report Out – Results of the 18-question survey that gathered insights from multiple agencies and institutions related to building operations in the wake of the pandemic.

  • HVAC Best Practices Briefing – This document summarizes best practices research regarding HVAC operations in the wake of COVID-19. The information is aligned with and builds on the DCAS document: “Managing the Return to Office in the Age of COVID-19,” which I shared last week.

Wedding Event FAQ from the NYC Mayor's Office 
Read the FAQ from NYC Mayor’s Office



NYC Museum Reopening Task Force (NYCMRTF) – Webinar and Follow Up Resources

On July 29, 2020, DCLA co-hosted a webinar on reopening museum spaces with the NYCMRTF, a self-organized group of museums and cultural organizations. Below is recorded video of the webinar and resources shared during and after the event.

Watch the recorded webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr-Qld9Pb8Q


NYC Museums Reopening Task Force Guidelines
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcla/downloads/pdf/NYC-Museum-Reopening-TaskForce-COVID-19-Guidelines-Reopening-NYCMuseums.pdf


Safely Reopening NYC Museums Presentation


Bloomberg Philanthropies – Reopening the Cultural Sector in U.S. Cities
https://assets.bbhub.io/dotorg/site/2/2020/07/BP-Local-Response-Initiative_Reopening-the-Cultural-Sector_as-of-07_21_20.pdf


Culture Track: Culture + Community in a Time of Crisis
https://s28475.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CCTC-Key-Findings-from-Wave-1_final.pdf


Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum – Vendor Sourcing


Culture in Public Spaces: A Webinar with Outdoor Event Permitting Agencies

On September 16, 2020, the Department of Cultural Affairs co-hosted a webinar with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment on outdoor event permitting with partner City agencies. Below is recorded video of the webinar and resources shared during and after the event.

Watch the recorded webinar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyWQPVi0obc&feature=youtu.be

Agency Presentations

Question & Answers About Outdoor Event Permitting

For the latest information on permitting for:


Accessibility and Inclusion in the Virtual Space: How Cultural Organizations Can Adapt and Connect

On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, the Department of Cultural Affairs hosted a virtual presentation and discussion on best practices and techniques to increase access and inclusion for audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, including representatives of the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Museum of Modern Art, Museum, Arts and Culture Access Consortium, Dances for a Variable Population, and Queens Theatre. Below is a recorded video of the webinar and resources shared during and after the event.

Watch the recorded webinar:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/vy-lxBRbrLQ

View the presentation Slides, including contact information for all presenters and panelists.


Board Leadership in a Shifting Landscape

On Thursday December 17, 2020, the Department of Cultural Affairs hosted a conversation moderated by Judy Levine, Executive Director of Cause Effective, in which NYC cultural leaders shared journeys of learning and adapting, as well as how board members are making a difference for their organization’s audiences, staff, and communities. Panelists included Eyebeam's Roderick Schrock, Executive Director and Joe Versace, Board Chair; and El Puente's Frances Lucerna, President and Mark Colón, Board Chair.

Watch the recorded webinar::
YouTube: https://youtu.be/4nWUrl82DQQ?t=75