Communal support is essential to enduring crises such as COVID-19.
Below, is a a list of resources for artists and creators who are seeking help during the pandemic. It is not comprehensive and we want to keep this page alive, growing and continuously helpful.
If you’re aware of a resource that we have not yet included in this list, please leave it in the comments so we can add it.
Currently the list is split into the following categories:
Emergency Funding
Emergency financial resources for artists are being compiled by the Brooklyn Arts Council.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
FCA has a long-standing emergency fund for artists who “have sudden, unanticipated 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.” (FCA).
Hannah Fenlon, Ann Marie Lonsdale, and Abigail Vega have developed a wordpress page that lists resources for artists that covers funding to legal information. The list is inclusive of all practices, providing resources for visual artists, performing artists, musicians, and writers.
Indie Theater Rapid Relief Fund
The Indie Theater Fund is launching this fundraising campaign to provide direct support and emergency relief to independent theaters and artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Musician’s Emergency Relief Fund
A non-profit 501(c)(3) relief fund ran by the Associated Musicians of Greater New York. fundA New York State licensed social worker provides confidential social services to members and their families.
New York Foundation for the Arts and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation have teamed up to create a medical emergency fund for artists. As stated on NYFA, “The program will provide visual and media artists and choreographers with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.”
NYC COVID-19 Black Folk Mutual Aid Fund
A fundraiser ran by the NYC Chapter of BYP100 where artists in need can request financial support, supplies, or other virus related needs. The fundraiser is currently prioritizing people of color. Individuals who are financially stable have the option to donate to the fund.
NYC Low-Income Artist/Freelancer Relief Fund
Survey and crowdfunding resource by Shawn Escarciga and Nadia Tykulsker to raise money to support other artists and freelancers. The surveys are currently closed but donations are still opened.
Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal government declares their location to be a major disaster area.
DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and book writers in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.
Free and confidential social service programs are available nationally and address a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment. Professional social workers offer counseling and support groups, education, emergency financial assistance, and practical help.
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant program is intended to provide 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 – TASD Source Bomb Magazine
American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund
A grant that provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need. AGMA contracts with the Actors Fund to administer this program nationally and provide comprehensive social services.
A grant that supports professional writers in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune by providing no-strings-attached “loans” to pay for pressing expenses.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
Grants are available for bartenders and the spouses and children of bartenders experiencing financial hardship. For more information, read eligibility guidelines and contact the USBG National Charity Foundation at [email protected].
Cinema Workers Solidarity Fund
A mutual aid resource available to New York City cinema workers whose hours have been curtailed because of COVID-19 closures and who are not being otherwise compensated. – TASD Source Bomb Magazine
A flexible grant that can be used toward medical expenses, childcare, groceries, or rent or mortgage.
If you are a musician who has lost income due to a cancelled gig as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, apply to receive money from Equal Sound’s new program by submitting a form at the link above.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts
Emergency Grants are offered between $200 and $2,500 for visual and performing artists. Applications are reviewed once a month
Available financial support as well as a list of remote and in-person volunteer opportunities (e.g., translation, budgeting, and food distribution). Email [email protected] for more information. – TASD Source Bomb Magazine
PEN American Writers’ Emergency Fund
A small grants program for professional—published or produced—writers in acute or unexpected financial crisis. Depending on the situation and level of need, grants are in the range of $2,000. – TASD Source Bomb Magazine
NYFA and the Rauschenberg Foundation have teamed up to offer visual and media artists and choreographers in the US grants of up to $5,000 for medical related emergencies.
Service Workers Coalition
A mutual aid network for service workers in Brooklyn. Email [email protected] if you need help or want to get involved.
Sweet Relief provides immediate assistance with a limited amount of funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the coronavirus. Funds raised will go toward medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food, and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.
Artist Fellowship Emergency Financial Aid
Artist Fellowship emergency financial aid.
source credit BRIC
BK Arts Council Disaster Relief
Brooklyn Arts Council Disaster relief funding.
source credit BRIC
NYC Small Business Grants for those impacted by Covid19
NYC 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.
Free Learning Opportunities
![Resource Guide for Artists and Freelancers During the COVID19 Crisis [Updated]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== "Resource Guide for Artists and Freelancers During the COVID19 Crisis [Updated] 1")
Adobe Suite
Adobe is making temporary at-home access to Creative Cloud available until May 31, 2020 for schools and colleges who currently have only lab access for students, at no additional cost.
Brooklyn Public Library X Lynda
Brooklyn Public Library offers card holders free access to Lynda.com’s tutorials in Adobe Suite and other computer programs.
How Artists can Prepare for COVID19
Americans for the Arts
A concise breakdown of how the arts can prepare for the crisis
Creative Capital : Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
A list of resources compiled by Creative Capital. Includes emergency grants for artists.
SPECTRUM WIFI
Spectrum is providing sixty days of free Internet to customers and students without access who have not yet used the provider. Call 844-488-8395 and proceed through the automated prompts until you connect with a representative.
Remote & Remote-Friendly Employers
Study Hall is an online support group for media workers making its digest and opportunities newsletter unpaywalled and available to all on Twitter (@studyhallxyz) for the foreseeable future. – TASD Source Bomb Magazine
Crowd Sourced Google Sheet of Employers Friendly to Remote Work
Employers spanning from policy and advocacy to digital services.
Medical Resources
Mount Sinai Now Video Urgent Care
This is a video consultation that costs $25 for EVERYONE even if you do not have insurance. Connect with a doctor from anywhere with Mount Sinai NOW Video Urgent Care.
This is not for emergency car, if you are experiencing a medical emergency please call 911 immediately.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
Full list of advice and resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for keeping up with your mental health during the CONVID-19 crisis.
If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Emergency Medication Distribution: Points of Dispensing (PODS)
During a pandemic flu outbreak, bioterrorism attack or other public health emergency, you can get free medication, vaccinations and medical supplies at one of the City’s Point of Dispensing (POD) sites.
Surveys for Affected Industries
Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York Survey
Non-profit theaters, sponsored projects, independent producers, etc affected by CONVID-19 are being asked to fill out this survey to help assess their financial loss so further assistance can be provided.
DanceNYC survey to assess how performers have been affected by CONVID-19. They will be using the information to raise awareness and further develop a list of shared resources.
NYC Nightlife Office Survey on Lost Income
The Office of Nightlife is gathering information on lost income from COVID-19-related business closures and event cancellations in bars, live music venues, nightclubs, lounges, restaurants, and other social and cultural spaces.
The NYC Nightlife office is asking you to fill out the survey if you are a worker, performer, contractor, or business owner in New York City nightlife. The survey asks for information on your canceled shifts, gigs, events, and other lost business income, revenue, or work opportunities.
Artists, Culture Workers, Freelancers, Gig/Event Economy Losses Due to Covid-19 Cancellations
Additional Resource Lists
Art Education in the Age of Social Distancing
New York Foundation for the Arts (COVID-19 Emergency Resources List)
Massive list of grants for artists. Many are from all over the country and not necessarily for artists in NY but it seems like it will be updated frequently and is a good place to bookmark if you are an artist that is looking for emergency funding in this time of crisis.
This list was created with the assistance of Emily Kohl-Mattingley from ChaShaMa and BOMB Magazine.
Cover Image Courtesy of Travis American