COVID-19 is impacting all of our lives across the globe.
While social distancing and lockdowns are the right moves to protect the health of our communities, the complete picture of the financial repercussions are still unknown. With canceled exhibitions, classes, conferences and workshops over the span of a very short time, many artists are feeling the stress of lost income and an uncertain future.
In the face of the unknown, artists have, unsurprisingly, gotten creative about how they are changing their artistic practice. However, if you, like many, are finding that you need additional financial resources to get you through this time, there are emergency grants available for artists.
We, like many other arts organizations right now, have compiled a list of emergency resources for artists as well an ongoing list of crowdfunding efforts to provide financial relief for artists.
If you have a resource that we haven’t mentioned, please send us an email and we will add it to the list. This is an evolving list that we will be over the next few weeks.
Emergency Grants for Artists
GRANTS IN THE UNITED STATES
CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund)
CERF+ provides rapid relief and career recovery loans through their own grants (for artists working in craft disciplines) as well as a list of emergency resources for artists in other disciplines. Additionally, CERF+ just launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to support artists working in craft disciplines. "This fund is essential to our rapid and effective response to those artists who are suffering severe health impacts from the coronavirus, ensuring that CERF+ has the funds necessary to respond to this unprecedented crisis," said CERF in an email release. If you are able, please donate to the CERF+ COVID-19 Response Fund.
Colorado-based Artists' Charitable Fund assists American visual fine artists (painters and sculptors) living anywhere in the United States by paying a portion of their medical/dental/eye-care bills. For example, the Fund has purchased a wheelchair, paid for eye surgery, provided funding for an artificial leg, paid partial medical expenses of several artists who have cancer, as well as other needs for medical assistance. You can find out more about the fund as well as donate here.
The Artists’ Fellowship provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship.
The organization defines eligibility to “Professional” is defined as those visual artists who make their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. Federal tax return. An active exhibition history is also an important part of documenting “professional.” You can find the application here.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
Emergency Grants offers immediate assistance to artists that have sudden, unanticipated opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. Artists should be living and working anywhere in the United States, though projects can occur in the U.S. and abroad.
Each month FCA receives an average of 95 Emergency Grant applications and makes approximately 12-15 grants. Grants range in amount from $500 to $2,500, and the average grant is now $1,600.
These grants do not cover life-related emergencies such as food, rent, medical bills, childcare, and other basic necessities, reimbursement for expenses that you have already incurred, or projects with no scheduled exhibition or performance dates, so look closely at the requirements and limitations.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
The Foundation will disburse $1,000 grants to artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the COVID-19 virus.
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund– (USA)
Any AGMA member in good standing is entitled and encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund. Grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis, based on need.
The Haven Foundation provides financial assistance up to $10,000 to artists who have a health crisis; grants are one-year, and the financial amount provided is to the discretion of the Foundation. Grants can be renewed up to four more years, with a supplemental application. Read the guidelines for application here.
The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation partnered to offer a new medical emergency aid program for artists. The one-time Rauschenberg Emergency Grants will provide visual and media artists and choreographers with up to $5,000 to cover a number of unforeseen medical expenses. There is no deadline; applications will be accepted and reviewed by the panel on a monthly basis beginning in late May/early June 2020.
National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER)
NCAPER is a voluntary task force of national, regional, state, and local arts organizations, public agencies, and foundations, NCAPER helps ensure that artists, arts/cultural organizations, cultural funders, and arts businesses have the capacity and ability to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies affecting the arts and culture sector.
Sustainable Arts Foundation
Awards supporting artists and writers with families with up to $6,000.
Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund
If you are a musician who has lost income due to a canceled gig as a result of the Coronavirus / Covid-19 outbreak, this new grant provides monetary support to musicians who have lost income due to a canceled gig as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
This emergency fund can provide up to $200 for people of color that are either working artist or art administration and are affected by COVID-19.
ConvertKit has established a fund to help creators in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have already received more applications than they have funding, but encourage creators to still apply.
Kinkade Family Foundation Emergency Grant for Curators
This emergency grant provides funding for a curatorial project that sheds light on the world during this time of darkness. Priority will be given to curators who have a venue secured for their project and are greatly impacted by the challenges we are facing due to COVID-19.
Format has put together a $25,000 relief fund designed to help photographers facing financial difficulties during the outbreak. The fund offers $500 per person.
Art Interrupted Emergency Arts Fund
Twenty Summer launched an emergency fund for artists and arts organizations suffering from unexpected and unmanageable financial loss as a result of the COVID-19. Artists can receive up to $500, while arts organizations can receive up to $1,000.
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
The Emergency Fund for Artists will now provide up to $500 in assistance to artists experiencing loss of income due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Emergency Fund also remains available for other unforeseen emergencies that may impact your ability to work, such as flood, theft, or fire.
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 United States. Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists. Check out the FAQs and apply here.
The Slants Foundation is seeking art that sparks conversations about anti-Asian racism using compassion and empathy in an unconventional manner. More specifically, these are works that resemble an open letter to those who are directing negative and hateful acts towards Asians and Asian Americans. While their actions are not tolerated, we understand that hate is often fueled by pain, ignorance, and shame. We are looking for works of art that can build bridges with others by exploring ideas through an open letter. Multiple grants of $250 are available for new or existing work that meet the criteria. For more information, visit: http://theslants.org/counteringhate
UNITED STATES GRANTS BY REGION
The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus. The application opens Monday, March 16.
Chicago Theater Workers Relief Fund
Chicago area theater professionals may apply for a grant of up to $500 on a first-come-first-served basis.
Biscotto-Miller Theater Workers Fund
This fund provides emergency assistance for any member of the Chicago theater community who is dealing with serious medical issues, including those that may result from COVID-19 infection.
This fund provides support for low-income, BIPOC, trans, gender non-conforming, and queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being affected by the pandemic in Dallas.
Artists, arts presenters or arts venues in need of funds due to COVID-19 can apply for funding.
Hawaii Artists and Entertainment Fund
Working artists in the Hawaii area in need of assistance due to COVID-19 can apply.
Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
This relief fund was created for individuals working in the Indianapolis arts sector and impacted by the current public health crisis.
Emergency relief grants to City of Los Angeles-based dance, music, and theater artists, as well as small ensembles who have had their public performances, shows, or concerts cancelled.
This relief fund offers up to $500 to cover lost income due to COVID-19 to Miami-based Artists.
Springboard for the Arts Emergency Relief Fund
This relief fund supports artists in Minnesota who experience career-threatening emergencies, expanded to include emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost.
The Mayer Foundation grant
The Mayer Foundation grant provides economic relief to New York artists who are distressed or suffering from lack of financial resources as a result of natural or civil disasters, or from temporary impoverishment, loss of employment, death or incapacity of a family wage earner or damage to home and property. The grant also provides healthcare to those who cannot afford it or whose health insurance or financial resources are insufficient to cover their medical needs. The grant is up to $2,500 and is reviewed on a quarterly basis.
NYC Community Trust COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund
The NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund was created to aid nonprofit service providers struggling with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus.
ArtBridge COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund
Since 2008, ArtBridge has provided opportunities for more than 150 early-career artists in NYC. Now they are providing grants of $250 to $500 on a rolling basis to NY-based emerging visual artists who are in short-term need due to COVID-19. Apply or donate here.
This fund offers urgent relief to freelance dance artists who have suffered financial losses due to the spread of the COVID-19 and the government enforced social restrictions.
North Carolina Artist Relief Fund
This fund has been created to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Artists and arts presenters in North Carolina can apply for emergency funding.
Philadelphia Performing Artists’ Emergency Fund
This fund was created to assist performing artists whose income has been impacted by show cancellations, slowing ticket sales, or low turnout during this pandemic.
Portland Area Artist Relief Emergency Fund
This fund is currently for freelance and independent artists residing in the Portland tri-county area.
San Francisco Arts and Artists Relief Fund
This emergency relief fund has been set up to help mitigate COVID-19 related financial losses that artists and small to mid-size arts and culture organizations have suffered. Individuals may apply for up to $2,000 and use the award however they see fit. Awards to organizations will range up to $25,000 and will be scaled based on budget size, up to $2 million.
San Francisco Foundation Emergency Response Fund for Nonprofits
SFF will make a limited number of one-time grants between $3,000 and $25,000 to nonprofits that are addressing the following four issue areas, described in greater detail below: racial bias, worker protection, homelessness and renter protection/housing security, and food security.
Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund
This is a resource for performing arts workers in the Bay Area who are facing a loss of income due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Artists who live in the Bay Area for the past two years are eligible for $250 in an effort to support the security and protection of artists who, in “normal times,” hold part-time or contract work to prioritize their art practice.
This relief fund will distribute $1 million to artists in the Kings County, Washington, area who are affected by closures, cancellations, and loss of work due to COVID-19.
This creative industry relief fund helps support musicians, artists, performers and filmmakers in the Tarrant County area in Texas who have lost work due to COVID-19.
This relief fund provides rapid response grants supporting critical needs of artists in Washington state whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19.
Washington Theatre Guide Taking Care Fund
Any theater professional currently residing in and who has actively worked in the Washington metropolitan area within the past two years is eligible to apply for emergency relief.
The Seattle Artist's Relief Fund is a crowd-sourced financial relief fund that is already distributing financial relief to artists in the Seattle area. The GoFundMe campaign has reached $144,000 in just its first week and has already received 600 applications. This fund is for individual artists only who live in the greater Seattle area, not organizations or nonprofits. Donate if you can and apply if you need assistance.
Max’s Kansas City Project provides emergency funding and resources to professional artists in the creative arts who live in New York state. Grants of up to $1,000 are given to artists that demonstrate a financial need for medical aid, legal aid, or housing.
ArtsGreensboro has launched a relief fund for artists in the Greater Greensboro NC area who have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can apply or donate to the fund here. One hundred percent of proceeds go directly to benefit local Greensboro artists.
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council
This program provides grants of up to $750 for artists and organizations in Minnesota to do art projects online or in other forms during the current shutdown of arts venues. This grant is for artists and organizations who have had projects cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19.
Charlottesville Emergency Relief Fund
Artists can request up to $300 to compensate for scheduled work that was scheduled and lost. Artists are eligible to apply for loss of income regardless of whether the income was from art or other jobs. Artists must live in the Charlottesville area including the city of Charlottesville or the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson.
Denver Arts & Venues: IMAGINE 2020 Artist Assistance Fund
This fund was started to support individual artists who are experiencing immediate, unforeseen emergency needs due to COVID-19.
Through the IMAGINE 2020 Artist Assistance Fund, Denver Arts & Venues has allocated $130,000 towards grants of up to $1,000 to individual artists who live in Denver whose incomes are being adversely affected due to cancellation of events, classes, performances, and other creative work.
INTERNATIONAL GRANTS
This fund, created by The Soze Foundation, TaskForce and Invisible Hand, will support artists and activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19. We will be making $250 grants to selected applicants on an on-going basis.
The Orphan We Video Story Grant
The Orphan We grant is open to applicants who have an interesting life story to tell. We accept video stories up to 10 minutes long. The grant amount is $300. Artists and activists are welcome to apply. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are a part of marginalized groups. Deadline: June 14, 2020.
Duais Dìleab Chaluim Chille / The Colmcille Legacy Award
Culture, Heritage & Arts Assembly, Argyll & Isles (CHARTS) recently launched The Colmcille Legacy Award. The project offers monthly arts awards and online exhibitions to profile and support Gaelic artists work. The awards are a digital project to meet the social distancing challenges of Covid-19. They will celebrate Gaelic arts and culture using a range of arts media and themes related to Colmcille. The first deadline is July 14th. More details here.
GRANTS IN CANADA
National Arts Center and Facebook Canada
The Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists will provide $100,000 in artists fees to support online performances between now and March 31, 2020, to help ease financial strain for those impacted by the closure of performance venues across Canada related to COVID-19.
National Theater School of Canada
The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is allocating $60,000 in support of emerging artists (as 80 grants of $750). These funds will be granted to theatre artists in training, or artists who have completed a theatre training program within the past five years, to present a piece of art online.
Canada Council Funding and Support for Artists
The Canadian government is offering a variety of support to artists who are affected by Coronavirus. For Canadian artists abroad there is a travel fund for artists to return to Canada. There are also Emergency Care Benefits for artists unable to earn money due to Coronavirus.
EUROPEAN GRANTS
The Flanders Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is working to provide monthly stipends for self-employed people who are not able to work during Coronavirus. This monthly benefit is € 1,291.69 without family expenses and € 1,614.10 with family expenses during the months of March and April.
The Kone Foundation is offering an at-home artist in a residency support program to fund artists over a three month period. Monthly funds range by artist experience, €2,400 (early career), €2,800 (mid-career), and €3,500 (experienced artist).
The Swedish Cultural Foundation and the Swedish Association in Finland
The Swedish Cultural Foundation and the Swedish Association for the Arts have each decided to direct € 200,000 to the new grant form "Culture in the meantime". In the spring, a total of € 400,000 will be distributed for art practitioners and cultural workers who are hit hard financially by the corona crisis.
The Civic Theater has created a fund to provide financial relief to Irish artists experiencing lost income related to COVID-19. Small grants of up to €500 will be paid rapidly on a first-come, first-served basis to affected artists and groups.
GRANTS IN THE UK
The Arts Council of England is providing £160 million of emergency funding available for those organizations and individuals who will need it during this crisis. The council is also making £20 million of financial support available to individuals ( artists, creative practitioners, and freelancers), so they can better sustain themselves, and their work, in the coming months.
South West Creatives – Corona Virus Impact Fund – (Bristol, England)
Aiming to provide ten £200 hardship funds for any artists, practitioners and creative freelancers that cannot work during this time or who have been affected by cancellations or other impacts.
GRANTS IN ASIA
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council is funding 150 million HK Dollars to subsidize arts organizations, groups, and practitioners having work from February to April impacted by COVID-19. This funding includes performances, exhibitions, rehearsals, preparation and post-event work.
Singapore Unbound Relief Fund (SURF)
Creative writers, whether they are Singapore citizens living anywhere in the world or Permanent Residents of Singapore, may apply for a USD200/SGD280 grant from SURF with no strings attached. This fund is specifically intended to help those in dire need of immediate help.
RESOURCES TO RUN AN ART CAREER ONLINE
Tools to Run Your Art Business Online
How Artists Are Dealing with Coronavirus Cancellations
Digital Tools For Artists to Run a Remote Career During Coronavirus
How to Showcase Your Art Collection Online During the COVID-19 Shutdown
Webinar: Strategies for Running an Art Business During COVID-19
Webinar | Rallying Together: Resources to Support Artists During COVID-19
How to Host an Online Art Workshop
7 Email Templates Artists Can Use During Coronavirus
Why It's More Important Than Ever to Document Your Artwork
Cultivating a Creative Mindset During Quarantine
Creative Prompts for Art Projects During Social Distancing
Meditations to Ease the Artist’s Mind
RESOURCES FOR STAYING CONNECTED WHILE SHELTERING-IN-PLACE
How to Experience Art & Culture During Coronavirus
Art-Making Activities for Your Kids During COVID-19
Cultivating a Creative Mindset During Quarantine
RESOURCES FOR COLLECTORS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Protect Your Art Investment During Crisis
Tips for Conducting an Online Artist Selection Panel
Checklists to Prepare for a Virtual Exhibit
How One Museum Moved its Exhibitions Online During COVID-19
COVID-19 Resource Center for Nonprofits
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ARTS
How to Support Artists and the Arts During COVID-19
Americans for the Arts' Response Center
Prosper Strategies' Resources for Nonprofits
UN's Open Call for Creatives
Art Handlers Support from Dietl
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH
UC Berkley Mental Health Resource Page for Creative and Professional Burnout
LEGAL & FINANCIAL RESOURCES DURING COVID-19
Contracts & "force majeure" clauses from Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
The IRS has extended the federal income tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020! For more info, visit the IRS's coronavirus response page.
Massachusett's Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts are waiving their service fees for artists and organizations facing financial hardships due to the coronavirus. Contact them here.
Guard yourself against COVID-19-related cyberattacks with this resource from Evolve MGA.
Forecast is offering pro bono consulting to public artists and public art program administrators during this pandemic.
WEBINARS
If you miss a webinar, don't worry, most are recorded and available after the event.
Online briefing on how 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations can benefit from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act hosted by U.S. Chamber Foundation — March 30, 2020, 12:30pm EDT
Briefing for the Arts Field on the Stimulus Package hosted by Americans for the Arts — March 31, 2020, 3:00pm EDT
Coping with COVID: Livestreaming for Artists hosted by Creative Capital – March 31, 2020, 4:00-5:00pm EDT
Setting up an Emergency Fund hosted by Americans for the Arts – April 1, 2020, 3:00pm EDT
Coping with COVID: Financial Implications for Creative Individuals hosted by Creative Capital – April 7, 2020, 6:00-7:00pm EDT
How to Craft Meaningful & Mindful Digital Content in the Age of Coronavirus – Hosted by the Cueseum, Canadian Museum of History, and North Carolina Museum of Art, April 8, 2020 2:00 EDT
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and museums: impact, innovations and planning for post-crisis– Hosted by ICOM AND OECD, April 10, 2020, 8am EDT
EdCom Cares: Supporting Each Other in Uncertain Times – Hosted by AAM, April 8, 2020, 2pm EDT
ARTWORK ARCHIVE WEBINAR: STRATEGIES FOR RUNNING AN ART BUSINESS DURING COVID-19—April 9, 2020, 2:00pm EDT
Financial Strategies for Artists and Freelancers Impacted by COVID-19— Hosted by Art World Conference, Tue, April 14, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Taxes for Artists, Freelancers & Creative Businesses — Hosted by Art World Conference, Tue, April 21, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
We firmly believe that the arts will continue to strengthen our communities.
Especially in these difficult times, the arts will continue to lift our spirits and bring solidarity and humanity to our struggling communities. If you want to learn more about how to support artists and the arts during the current pandemic, you can read more here.
Additionally, keep in mind that as these emergency grants start to become flooded with applications, don't forget about all the other grants and funding available to artists this year. If you are stuck at home for the time being, take a look at the guide below and make it an activity to apply to a few.
And, if you know of a relief fund, resource or emergency grant that we missed, please send it to us at [email protected]. We will be updating this list as things evolve.
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