Americans for the Arts and Artist Relief have released new versions of their COVID-19 Impact on the Arts Surveys. The findings will power our collective ongoing advocacy work to ensure the arts are part of the billions of dollars in relief and recovery funding.
Americans for the Arts and Artist Relief, with support from the Ford Foundation, have launched a new COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists. This revised survey enables the partners to gauge what is happening to our creative economy and address what is needed to provide relief and spur recovery. All types of creative workers should participate: practicing artists, culture bearers, educators and teaching artists, creative entrepreneurs, and hobby artists). Please share this link with your artist networks. Each week, Americans for the Arts publishes its updated COVID-10 Research Update that tracks the ongoing human and financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the arts. As the virus continues to rage in our communities, so does its devastation of the nation's arts sector. Cancellations have taken place at virtually every arts organization across the country, 1 in 10 arts businesses doubt their ability to survive, and two-thirds of the nation's artists are now unemployed. Use this weekly update to keep informed.
EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR ARTISTS/CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS/INDIVIDUAL ARTS ADMINISTRATORSCurrently Accepting Applications:
Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Artist Relief Cycle X application deadline: March 31, 2021.
CERF+ Artists "Get Ready" Grants will provide up to $500 to help safeguard your studio, protect your career, and prepare for emergencies. This cycle will begin accepting applications on March 31st and will close on April 21, 2021. Priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, People of Color and folk and traditional artists.
- The Foundation for Contemporary Arts has created an Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund 2.0 to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions. Deadline: September 15, 2021.
- CERF+ COVID-19 Relief Grant program, providing financial assistance to professional artists working in craft disciplines who are facing dire circumstances from the COVID-19 crisis. This program provides one-time $1,000 grants to meet urgent food, housing and/or health insecurities.Priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and folk and traditional artists. Cycle 4 TBD.
- NDN Collective's Radical Imagination grant will support 6 Indigenous artists/culture bearers of all traditions, mediums and genres, awarding grants of $50,000. Artists may propose a one year budget that includes a living stipend, as well as support for the supplies and equipment necessary to publicly amplify the work and develop a community messaging platform. 12% of funds must also support artist self-care, health and well-being.
- CERF+
Actors Fund Emergency Financial Assistance offers funds to union and non-union workers in entertainment and the performing arts.
Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Deadline: Will disburse funds in the amount of US $200 per person, on a first-come-first-served basis, accepting funds indefinitely.
Dramatists Guild Foundation's relief fund offers support to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters.
Resource Roundups:
The Freelancers Union and Hub created
Freelance Artist Resources, a comprehensive rundown of the many resources for freelance workers hit hard during this time.
Not Currently Accepting Applications:
- ImagineMKE Holiday Artist Relief Fund's $500 awards support artists living in Milwaukee county with catastrophic, career-threatening emergencies. Applicant eligibility requirements are available on the ImagineMKE site.
The Open Fund is administered by two Wisconsin artist-run spaces, The Poor Farm and The Open. In the fall of 2020, the Open Fund will distribute $60,000 in emergency grants to artists living in Milwaukee County, providing $1,000 grants to 60 visual artists living within the Milwaukee County with a financial need. The application portal will closed Saturday, November 28th at 11:59 pm (CST).
The Soze Foundation launches the
Artist + Activist Relief Fund. Not currently accepting applications, but invite those interested to join their waiting list.
The Crew Nation fund supports live music crews who have been directly impacted as shows are put on pause due to COVID-19. Please check back at a later date for details on future application windows.
- The NDN Collective’s COVID-19 Response Project is designed to provide rapid response resources to Indigenous communities. The Artist and Entrepreneur Fund will provide grants of up to $5,000 to ease these current hardships in this time of economic uncertainty. Deadline: Phase 1 completed.
- The Pet Project Grant provides financial relief to playwrights during this period of isolation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant will distribute 152 unrestricted cash awards of $500 each directly to US-based playwrights, of any employment and/or immigration status.
- Milwaukee Artist Resource Network announces the MARN COVID-19 Relief Fund. All active MARN members, who contribute on any level to our creative economy, are encouraged to apply for this one-time, unrestricted $250 micro-grant.
- The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) created the Actos de Confianza micro-grant initiative, $500 micro-grants to support artists and arts administrators whose work has been adversely impacted by COVID-19. Closed as of April 16, 2020.
- The New Music Solidarity Fund helps new/creative/improvised music freelancers whose livelihood has been threatened as a result of performances which have been canceled.
- CovertKit launches the Creator Fund to assist with medical expenses, groceries, childcare, and rent or mortgage for active creators.
- Small Business 20/20 offers support for small businesses and micro-enterprises adversely economically impacted by the COVID-19 Virus.
- MusiCares Relief Fund offers basic living assistance (rent or mortgage) for music industry professionals.
- Artist Relief Project's Community-Driven Fundraiser supports artists in any discipline, who have been directly impacted by event cancellations and venue closures
- NYFA has partnered with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation to administer one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies through the Rauschenberg Emergency Grants.
- 2021 Actos de Confianza: The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) will distribute $2,500 grants to Latinx artists and cultural workers facing critical financial emergencies due to the impact of COVID-19. Cycles 1 (Mid-America) + 2 (Eastern US + Puerto Rico) closed.
ARTISTS/CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS SPECIFIC RESOURCES
Americans for the Arts