Photo: Joshua Ness
With cancellations and postponements happening in every corner of the world, artists and creatives are being left in economic peril due to the coronavirus. As galleries and cultural centers close their doors, many artists are seeing their once filled calendars slowly emptying. With little return for investments already made, what alternatives do artists have in this time of crisis?
Luckily, there are specific funding opportunities for artists facings hardships due to COVID-19. Some of these funds have been set up by the government, while others are private grants put in place to ensure that no one goes without during this difficult time. While there have long been artist emergency grants in place through a variety of organizations, the coronavirus pandemic has created a much more widespread need.
In fact, many artist emergency funds state that they are no longer taking applications due to COVID-19 simply because of a lack of funding. Fortunately, many grants are being set up expressly for the situation and funds are being continually dispersed as they come in. To keep on top of the best opportunities open for application, the Coronavirus Artist Relief Funds database, which was created by Music Works International, is continuously updated. Though it focuses on possibilities for artists in the United States, there is also a section for international artists.
Artists and creatives will want to look both for national and state funding. There are often grants open to creatives living in a specific state or geographical area, so cast your net wide to see what is available. To help get you started, we're listing some of the more significant national funding available (at the time of publication), as well as ways that anyone can donate to these funds in order to help creators struggling due to the pandemic.
Here are 10 emergency relief funds for artists affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: Svetlana Pochatun
Anonymous Was a Woman Emergency Relief Grant
Who is it for? Woman-identifying visual artists over the age of 40 in the United States and territories.
When can I apply? Applications go live April 6, 2020, 10:00 AM EDT and close Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 6:00 PM EDT.
What can I receive? There are $250,000 in unrestricted grants available, up to $2,500 apiece.
Click here for more information
Foundation for Contemporary Arts COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
Who is it for? Artists living in the United States or U.S. territories who create contemporary, experimental art and who can show that they have had an engagement canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When can I apply? Applications open until December 2020.
What can I receive? One-time $1,000 grant.
Click here for more information
Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
Who is it for? BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists and administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) in the United States who have been financially impacted due to COVID-19.
When can I apply? Applications open on a first-come-first-serve basis.
What can I receive? $200 grant.
Click here for more information and to donate
Photo: SwapnIl Dwivedi
CERF+ COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
Who is it for? U.S.-based artists working in a craft discipline who have been infected with the coronavirus and require intensive care.
When can I apply? Applications open.
What can I receive? $3,000 grant.
Click here for more information and click here to donate
Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
Who is it for? Painters, printmakers, and sculptors who have been working for at least 10 years in a mature phase.
When can I apply? Applications open.
What can I receive? One-time grant between $5,000 and $15,000.
Click here for more information
The Photographer Fund
Who is it for? Self-employed photographers worldwide facing financial hardship.
When can I apply? Applications open.
What can I receive? Up to $500 grant.
Click here for more information and to donate
Emergency Grant for Curators
Who is it for? Curators who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and promote contemporary and experimental artwork. Priority is given to those who have a venue secured for their project and are greatly impacted by COVID-19.
When can I apply? Applications close April 12, 2020.
What can I receive? One-time grant up to $5,000.
Click here for more information
Freelancers Relief Fund
Who is it for? Any independent worker in the U.S. who has worked as a freelancer for at least one year and has experienced a recent, sudden, and unforeseen hardship or loss of income due to COVID-19. (This includes cancellations or work loss due to social distancing measures, personal medical reasons, or caring for immediate family members infected with COVID-19.)
When can I apply? Applications open.
What can I receive? Financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household.
Click here for more information and click here to donate
Photo: Kelly Sikkema
Creative Scotland Bridging Bursary
Who is it for? Artists and freelancers based in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work and/or practice due to COVID-19.
When can I apply? First round of funding closed. Second round to open April 20, 2020.
What can I receive? One-time grant between £500 and £2500.
Click here for more information
Disability Arts Online Commissions Fund
Who is it for? UK-based disabled artists.
When can I apply? Applications open until April 6, 2020.
What can I receive? Paid commission for Disability Arts Online.
Click here for more information
Arts Council COVID-19 Support
Who is it for? Creative practitioners in England whose work has been affected by the coronavirus.
When can I apply? Round one runs from April 9, 2020 until April 13, 2020. Round two runs from April 16, 2020 to April 27, 2020.
What can I receive? One-time grant of £2,500 (up to £3,000 if there are extra costs related to disability).
Click here for more information
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