Covid-19 Relief Guide for Artists.
By Stephanie Wruck
Most of us are aware of the devastating impacts of Covid-19 across industries, resulting in one of the worst economic crises we’ve ever faced. The culture sector and the arts have an estimated total economic impact of $4.98 billion dollars which is leaving artists, freelancers and several independent publishers in deep financial losses without clear future prospects on when or if things will ever get back to “normal”.
Among cancelled performances, workshops, exhibitions, conferences and special events, many art’s agencies of all types and sizes have been struggling to navigate the economic crisis. Reduction of salaries, laid off or furloughed staff and reduced creative force are just some of the results of the pandemic in the art world. Artists are more vulnerable than ever but fortunately, there are many resources that can provide critical help right now. It can be quite overwhelming to find these organizations and learn how we can extend a helping hand, this is why we decided to make it easy. Here’s a guide of resources to help artists, freelancers and other professionals from the culture sector to better navigate this pandemic, and hopefully emerge stronger than before.
“We can save the arts, one contribution at a time.”
1)The Tri-State Relief Fund
This emergency relief fund will provide $1,250,000 in aid to Tri-State non-salaried workers in the visual arts who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. The Willem de Kooning Foundation, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Teiger Foundation, and the Cy Twombly Foundation have all partnered to establish this emergency fund. Application cycles: May 19-20 and June 2-3.
2) Foundation For Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants
The Foundation for Contemporary Arts has established a temporary emergency grant to help artists whose works are contemporary and experimental in nature. They are also suspending the three year waiting period between grants, so if you have received a grant from the Foundation in the past three years, you may apply for the Covid-19 relief.
3) Black Arts Future Funds 2020 Emergency Grants
The Black Art Futures Fund (BAFF) is a collaborative funding project founded by the philanthropist DeLana R.A. Dameron and its mission is to move critical funds to small, community-based Black arts organizations who may be impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. They have one simple goal: to strengthen the future of Black Art.
4) Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Artists that work on a craft discipline, such as work using wood, textiles, glass, clay, metal and others are encouraged to apply for this relief fund. You must have been a legal U.S. resident at the time of the emergency.
5) Artist Relief Coalition
A coalition of grantmakers have come together to create an initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists all across the fifty states. The Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing financial emergencies during the pandemic.
6) Covid-19 Freelance Artist Resource
This is a list that was carefully made to help freelance artists as well as those looking to support their independent artist community. It includes actors, producers, designers, musicians, writers, dancers, filmmakers, visual artists and many more. A FREE guide of resources, opportunities and grant reliefs currently available. This is an ongoing work in progress and all are invited to contribute resources to the list. Its highly collaborative nature is all we need right now.
“We invite you to explore these organizations”
We hope this guide has made it a little easier and, hopefully, less overwhelming when seeking help during such uncertain times. We invite you to explore these organizations, see what they are up to and maybe find where you fit best. You may be an artist searching for financial relief, a writer, a bookshop owner, a performance artist or just someone with extra time in their hands. Collaboration has never been more crucial. Happy helping, everyone!