Filling in the gaps
We’re here to support you—no matter what it is you need.
Beyond the ongoing distress we’re all processing, COVID-19 has undoubtedly slowed down the world, allowing time for a kind of global cultural recalibration.
As priorities undergo readjustment and schedules pivot to match new time frames, many companies and service providers are showing up by offering free and discounted resources to help us get through this time.
If you’ve got to work from home, some of these services may help you tackle your to-do list. If you’re needing exercise or rest, scroll down to the movement section. Want to invest in a new creative project? Beautiful—just remember, there is no ‘right way’ to quarantine. Be mindful of productivity pressure. This time does not have to result in taking up a new side hustle or writing a novel. That said, this time is yours; do what will serve you best.
Some of us are still out there bravely holding society together by working essential positions, others are working from home, and a lot of us freelancers are somewhere in between. Whether you’re working or not working, you may want to channel your downtime toward absorbing new skills, creative practices, or checking out new educational programs. It’s also understandable to want to use whatever free time we’ve got to just rest and heal. Whatever it is, we’ve got a resource for you.
With so many services being offered at a discount or for free, we’ve compiled this running list which we’ll be updating regularly. Start learning, creating, and discovering with new momentum. We’re here to support you—no matter what it is you need.
Adobe is offering students free access to Creative Cloud until the end of May. If you lost lab access when schools shut down, Adobe has you covered for the time being. If you’re not a student, you can still get two months free.
Skillshare is offering two months of free, unlimited access to premium membership. That’s over 24,000 classes in Illustration, Design, Photography, and lots more. No commitments. Cancel anytime.
Even if you’re not a professional musician, in this pandemic, upping your dopamine with some playing time won’t hurt. Fender Play is offering three months of free lessons. Pick from a variety of genres and get started with simple tutorials that’ll get you to your next level of guitar playing.
Creative Capital has compiled an incredible list of resources for artists, with funds for every kind of creator. If you’re an artist in need of financial help at this time, this list is the perfect place to start.
Need graphic design help? Canva has you covered for pretty much everything. With easy-to-use layouts and drag-and-drop features, share your designs to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more. It’s so easy, you’ll feel like a graphic designer in no time.
Evernote is offering free basic service to get organized―notes, ideas, reminders, lists, all in one single app. Students get 50 percent off a full year of Evernote Premium.
Zoho offers a comprehensive suite of business software applications. Small businesses can sign up for Zoho’s Small Business Emergency Subscripton Assistance Fund (ESAP). You get three months of free access to all their existing applications. If you want it, move quickly―they’re capping the giveaway at 20,000. Beyond an ESAP opportunity, Zoho is also offering Remotely, a suite of web and mobile apps to help keep your team on track.
Slack is offering free three-month plans for nonprofits. Just fill out a simple form, and get your team connected.
G-Suite is offering free access to advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing to all G Suite and G Suite for Education customers. This includes larger meetings of up to 250 participants, live streaming with up to 100,000 viewers, and the ability to record and save to your Google Drive. Cool.
Did you know you remember 95 percent of a message when it’s watched versus only 10 percent of what you read? Well, Loom did. They’re offering free access to this tool through their app. Say it in real-time with video! Emails are boring.
This app provides studio-like yoga, HIIT, Barre, and other classes at your fingertips. The classes are fully customizable, so you can create the practice you need. Right now, Down Dog is making all of their apps for free until May 1st.
If you need a midday workout, Sweat is offering a variety of fitness videos with some of the world’s best female personal trainers, like Kayla Itsines and Chontel Duncan. Endorphins? Check. A whole month free.
During COVID-19, Headspace is offering a collection of meditations called Weathering the storm, free for everyone. Check out some other anxiety-management apps that we know and love.
Dance like no one’s watching, because no one is. This cardio dance party is one of New York’s most popular for a reason. Try it out.
A live-streamed movement class that offers a fun and inclusive approach to dancing.
This digital library has 36,918,180 images, texts, videos, and sounds from across the United States. Search the collection, exhibitions, lesson plans, student activities, and other learning resources.
Your trip may have been canceled, but you can still tour 500 of the World’s Most Famous Museums online for free.
The Met is offering free opera streams every night from a wide range of musical and theatrical realms. Check out the lineup and explore a variety of supplementary articles, podcasts, videos, and more.
Get a free account to create interactive learning experiences and dig into history, art, culture, and the sciences―all from your bed (if you want).
The owl misses you. Brush up on a new language so that when the time comes, you’re ready for travel.
ESL library is offering upgrades for standard members.
The care you deserve
We highlight some of the mental health apps and platforms that cater to specific marginalized communities.
Learning on lockdown
“For those of us looking to leverage this time to learn something new, you may want to take a look at the treasure chest of TED talks available online for your learning pleasure.”
