COVID-19 Relief Funds for Artists
We know the past several weeks of news about the COVID-19 pandemic have felt like a whirlwind. While several aid programs have been rolled out through the CARES act, timelines and details on how artists can access this aid remain confusing and overwhelming.
Today, we’d like to cover several relief funds that have been created in order to offer artists direct financial assistance. These funds are offered from a variety of non-profit and business organizations, and directed to assist artists and creatives across multiple industries.
Before diving into specific funds, here is some general advice to keep in mind:
Apply early. With many of these funds, the need may exceed the amount of money available. Put in your application early so you have the best chance at receiving relief.
Gets your documents together. Many of these relief funds require artists to submit proof of cancelled or lost work. Besides gathering your person ID documents, it’s a good idea to keep a spreadsheet of any cancelled gigs, projects, and contracts during this time. Do note that many of these funds also prioritize artists in immediate and dire financial distress: people who may not be able to pay rent, buy groceries, or pay for healthcare.
Check locally and regionally, as well as nationally. It’s worth checking with aid organizations and non-profits in your city or county first, as the pool of applicants may be smaller. But don’t count yourself out from larger national aid funds.
Here is a round-up of relief funds for artists. For regional funds, we’ve prioritized funding available to Weld County and Northern Colorado creatives. This list is by no means comprehensive, but we’ve done our best to highlight funds currently accepting applications, and most directly applicable to our creative community.
All Artists
Artist Relief - an initiative launched in partnership by several national leading arts non-profits, Artist Relief offers $5000 grants to practicing artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.
COVID Freelance Artist Resources - This page has a fairly comprehensive listing of national emergency relief funding for freelance artists.
Musicians
NoCo Music Relief Fund - Bohemian Foundation’s NoCo Music Relief Fund provides up to $1000 for individual musicians or music industry workers in Larimer and Weld counties who are severely financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eddie Roberts Payback - Launched by Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds in partnership with The Sound Mind Collective and Color Red Music, the Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund gives microgrants of $100-$500 to cover necessities for musicians affected by COVID-19.
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund - Provides grants of up to $1000 to musicians to cover cancelled work.
Sweet Relief COVID-19 Fund - Must have proof of cancelled work, and 50% of more of your work must come from working within the music industry.
Billboard - A state-by-state guide of resources for musicians who need relief during the pandemic.
Visual Artists
CERF+ - Emergency relief grants specifically for artists infected by the coronavirus and requiring intensive medical care.
Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant - Provides interim financial assistance to qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation. Each grant is given as one-time assistance for a specific emergency, examples of which are fire, flood, or emergency medical need.
FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund - Disperses $1500 one-time payments to contemporary, experimental artists who have had an exhibition or performance cancelled because of the pandemic.
Actors
Denver Actors Fund Emergency Artist Relief - One time disbursements of up to $250 to theatre professionals anywhere in Colorado.
The Actors Fund - Emergency financial assistance to working professionals in the entertainment industry.
Writers
Pen America Writer’s Emergency Fund - Grants of $500 to $1000 to meet an acute financial need.
Writers Emergency Assistance Fund - Emergency funds for established freelance writers who are ill or caring for someone who is ill.
We wish you the best in finding some relief. Please email us if we can help you with an application or get you connected to more resources.