COVID-19 Artist Resources
The COVID 19 economy is devasting for our community. I have compiled a list of over 70 grants, emergency funds and resource lists for you to consider. This list is not definitive and does not include unemployment or the CARES act.
COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESOURCES Updated on April 6, 2020
4 Culture Cultural Relief Fund (King County, WA) - Grants up to $2,000 are available for emergencies related to the COVID-19 virus and to support the creative responses cultural workers offer in times of crisis.
Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant - intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.
Alliance of Artists Communities - offers a list of emergency relief programs.
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) - is regularly updating this page about national news and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Anonymous Was A Woman (AWAW) Emergency Relief Grant - The program will distribute $250,000 in unrestricted grants, up to $2,500 apiece, to artists who have experienced financial hardship from loss of income or opportunity as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. Open to women-identifying visual artists over the age of 40 in the United States and territories
Artist + Activist Relief Fund - This fund, created by The Soze Foundation, TaskForce and Invisible Hand, will support artists and activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19. Currently not accepting new applications; artists may join a waiting list should more funds become available.
Artists' Charitable Fund - Assists American artists living anywhere in the United States by paying a portion of their medical, dental, and/or eye-care bills.
Artists' Fellowship, Inc. - provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund - The Arts and Culture 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).
Arts for Illinois Relief Fund (Illinois) - A statewide effort that provides financial relief to artists and arts organizations with urgent need due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through AIRF, 3Arts will issue $1,500 unrestricted, one-time grants to as many eligible artists as possible, given the total funding available.
Arts Greensboro Emergency Relief Fund (Greensboro, NC) - For any artist in need of support due to cancellations from the outbreak of COVID-19. This fund is a money-in, money-out fund. ArtsGreensboro will disperse funds weekly, based on the amount donated. This fund is directed to working artists, not organizations or nonprofits.
Artist Relief Project - Anyone pursuing the arts as a career (any discipline, any level of experience) can request financial support from the Artist Relief Project, which will provide applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis with a one-time emergency stipend of $200 and free resources and support to pursue alternative economic opportunities.
Artist Relief Tree - A relief fund for artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19. Disbursements are currently on hold while the organization seeks more funds, but you may join a waitlist.
The Atlanta Artist Lost Gig Fund (Atlanta, GA) - This fund is open to arts workers of ANY discipline including arts administrators, visual artists, craft artisans, performing artists of all kinds, musicians, writers, and all others. You must have documentation of your agreement for work (contract, email agreement, etc.) and documentation of the cancellation during the time of the COVID-19 crisis in order to apply (email stating such from contractor, etc.).
Bridgesong Fund (Western Massachusetts) - Emergency relief for western MA women, nonbinary, and genderqueer artists of color.
Cambridge Artist Relief Fund (Cambridge, MA) - Focused on lost income, current and into the foreseeable future, the Fund will provide one-time relief to arts organizations and artists who live, work, create, and/or perform in Cambridge. Only one grant per applicant is allowed.
CCI San Francisco Arts & Artists Relief Fund (San Francisco, CA) - An emergency relief fund to mitigate COVID-19 related financial losses that artists and small to mid-size arts and culture organizations have suffered.
City of Boston Artist Relief Fund (Boston, MA) - The Boston Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Colorado Artist Relief Fund (Colorado) -The fund will continue to provide grants of up to $1,000 to individual artists who live in Colorado who are experiencing immediate unforeseen emergency needs due to COVID-19, and whose incomes are being adversely affected due to cancellation of events, classes, performances, and other creative work. Grants will be made on a rolling basis.
Common Field COVID-19 Resources - an open-source list designed for the artist organization field.
COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund (Washington State) - The COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund provides rapid response grants supporting critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19. The grant is open to individual artists of all disciplines residing in Washington State.
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources - An aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
Creative Capital - Offers a list of resources for artists and arts organizations affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Creative Catalyst Fund (Newark, NJ) - Grants to support the creative practice of artists who have shown exceptional creative ability and commitment to social impact through their work. Awarded funds may be used to cover any expenses related to the artist’s practice, including but not limited to rent for studio/rehearsal space, supplies or equipment, or costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. There is no matching requirement.
Creative Industry Relief Fund (Fort Worth, TX) - Hear Fort Worth and Film Fort Worth with assistance from United Way of Tarrant County have established a creative industry relief fund to help support musicians, artists, performers and filmmakers who have lost work due to COVID-19.
The Creator Fund - Providing financial assistance to active creators who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. If you have medical, childcare, housing, or grocery needs, please apply for assistance.
Crosshatch Artist Emergency Fund (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties, MI) - Funding for individual artists (not non-profits or institutions) who earn 33% or more of their income from their art, and who have lost income because of COVID-19 related cancellations.
Culture Connects Coalition (Santa Fe, NM) - Culture Connects Coalition is a fund to support arts and culture in all their expressions. In response to COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce its greater impact on the community, they have partnered with Lannan Foundation to form the Artist Relief Fund to help those artists most dramatically affected.
Dallas Artist Relief Fund (Dallas, TX) - Provides support for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Dallas.
Durham Artist Relief Fund (Durham, NC) - Providing assistance to artists and arts presenters in Durham who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19, with priority given to BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists.
Efroymson Contemporary Arts Fellowship - Grants to visual artists living in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Emergency Grant for Curators - Administered by the Kinkade Family Foundation, this grant is intended for curators who have a venue secured for a project and are greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency Relief Fund for Arizona Artists and Arts Professionals (Arizona) - A collaborative fund for emergency support for working artists, teaching artists, production personnel, and arts-based contract workers who have experienced canceled events and residencies or terminated contracts as a result of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program - Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate.
Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters - List of regions with current declared disasters who are eligible for federal assistance.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant - Provides grants to visual or performing artists who have unanticipated, sudden opportunities to present their work to the public when there is insufficient time to seek other sources of funding, or incur unexpected or unbudgeted expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates.
For the People Artists Collective - Offering emergency microgrants of up to $500 to Illinois-based artists and freelancers of color whose income has been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Freelancer COVID-19 Emergency Fund - If you’re a creative freelancer who has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 virus and resulting public response, you can apply for temporary assistance through the fund. Currently closed, but policies will be reviewed and updated regularly.
Freelancers Union Freelancers Relief Fund - 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, including food/food supplies; utility payments; cash assistance to cover income loss.
Fulcrum Fund (Artists based within an 80-mile radius of Albuquerque, NM) - $60,000 in emergency relief grants, providing $1,000 to 60 local artists who have lost income as a result of cancellations due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Futures Fund: Emergency Relief for Artists (St. Louis, MO) - The Luminary, in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, is offering immediate artist emergency grants totaling $60,000 for artists and arts organizers in the St. Louis region.
Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (Atlanta, GA) - United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 Contact Center is helping address the negative impacts of the coronavirus in the communities. Call if you need assistance and check the website if you are able to donate to the fund.
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (Greater Pittsburgh, PA) - 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.
Greater Columbus Arts Council COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grants for Artists (Franklin County, OH) - The program is designed to assist artists of all disciplines living in Franklin County with the financial impacts of COVID-19.
Idea Awards COVID-19 Response Grant Lottery - You are eligible to enter the lottery for a grant of $2500 from the Bret Adams & Paul Reisch Foundation if you are: a playwright, composer, lyricist, or librettist; have had a full professional production (defined for these purposes as a LORT, Off-Broadway, or Broadway full production, not a reading or workshop) of which you are a writer that was cancelled, closed, or indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 closures.
Indy Arts COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (Indiana) - The Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund was created for individuals working in the arts sector and impacted by the current public health crisis. Primary concern is for the health and well being of individuals: specifically independent artists and staff working for small-to-midsize nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. This fund will provide rapid response $500 grants to help bridge the severe lost wages that make many in our creative community vulnerable.
Joan Mitchell Foundation - Provides emergency support to US-based visual artists working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and/or drawing, who have suffered significant losses after natural or man-made disasters that have affected their community.
Kincade Family Foundation Emergency Grant for Curators - The program will provide one (1) one-time grant of up to $5,000 for unexpected emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals (Massachusetts) - The purpose of the COVID-19 Relief Fund is to support individuals whose creative practices and incomes are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants of $1,000 will be available to Massachusetts individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists who have lost income derived from their work as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures.
National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER) - 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.
NC Artist Relief Fund (North Carolina) - This fund has been created to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Scroll down the page for the Apply button.
New Orleans Business Alliance Relief Fund for Gig Workers (New Orleans, LA) - As a result of the anticipated local economic impact of COVID-19, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) is standing up a relief fund to meet the needs of gig economy workers who have been directly impacted via loss of income.
NYC Low-Income Artist/Freelancer Relief Fund (New York City) - Provides support for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being effected by this pandemic in NYC. Click here also if you'd like to donate to the fund.
NYC Small Business Services: Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus (New York City) - The City will provide relief for small businesses across the City seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit. The City is also offering small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.
Oolite Arts Relief Fund for artists for COVID-19 (Miami-Dade County, FL) - Visual artists who live in Miami-Dade County can now request funds to compensate for the cancellation of specific, scheduled employment (whether in the cultural sector or not) or a professional artistic opportunity, including commissions and exhibitions.
Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund (Philadelphia, PA) - Providing some small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with immediate relief through a mix of grants and loans. Applications currently closed and waiting for new funds to become available.
The Photographer Fund - A $25,000 fund to help photographers impacted by COVID-19. Assistance of up to $500 per person will be offered at the organization's discretion to determine who gets the funds.
Pillars Rapid Response Fund - A fund to support the personal expenses of Muslim artists and activists whose livelihoods are being negatively impacted by this current moment. $500 grants will be given to individuals through a short application process.
Portland Area Artist Relief (Portland Area, OR) - This fund is currently for freelance/independent artists residing in the Portland tri-county area only. The counties are Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington. This fund is not for arts organizations or nonprofits. Applications paused temporarily.
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants - Beginning in May 2020, in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts, this national program will provide visual and media artists and choreographers with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.
The Safety Net Fund (Bay Area, CA) - The Safety Net Fund is a non-profit designed to help support artists in the Bay Area during the COVID-19 crisis.
Season of Concern Chicago (Chicago, IL) - Season of Concern Chicago offers 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. Proof of testing positive for the virus is required.
Seattle Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund (Puget Region in Washington State) - Hosted by Seattle Foundation, the COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible resources to organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak. The Fund is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible
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.
Seattle Recovery Package (Seattle, WA) - The initial support package is broken down into five components: Deferral of B&O Taxes; Assistance to Access SBA Loans; Expansion of Small Business Stabilization Fund; Relief for Utility Payments; and New Small Business Recovery Task Force.
TrickleUp - An artists helping artists network. With 10,000 subscribers at $10 a month, they can give $10,000 to 10 different artists affected by the Covid-19 cancelations. And every month 10 new artists in need will get $10,000. If the goal is surpassed, more people will get help.
Twenty Summers Emergency Arts Fund - An Emergency Arts Fund for artists (up to $500) and arts organizations (up to $1k) suffering from unexpected and unmanageable financial loss as a result of the Coronavirus.
UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund (Bay Area, CA) - UNTITLED, ART have expanded the qualifications for the UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund to include financial assistance for freelance, hourly, and wage working artists vulnerable to the economic standstill.
Wherewithal Grants (Washington, DC) - In March 2020, The Warhol Foundation authorized its re-granting partners to re-allocate their $100,000 grants to create and administer COVID-19 emergency relief funds in their communities. WPA has responded to this by providing two separate opportunities: Recovery Grants and Research Grants.
Women’s Center for Creative Work COVID-19 Emergency Health Grant For Artists (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, CA) - Low-income artists who work in any genre or medium, who identify as a woman, as trans or nonbinary, and/or as a person of color, who live in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino Counties are eligible to apply.
