Emergency Grants & Resources for Artists

This list has been compiled in an effort to help artists across the nation find emergency funding in these unprecedented times. Please check the organization's website for further information about eligibility and application details.

Artist Opportunities Posted by Hyperallergic

A list of artist contests and other opportunities to get paid for sharing your work. Published monthly.

View List

Emergency Grants

National Programs

#Above4Fund

For black women artists
offering monthly awards starting at $1,000 from April 2020 to August 2020 and may continue into January 2021
The application must be received by the 1st of every month

The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant

For qualified painters, printmakers, and sculptors who are able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of ten years in a mature phase of his or her work.
One-time assistance for a specific emergency
The maximum amount of this grant is $15,000; an award of $5,000 is typical.
This program has no deadlines

Artist + Activist Relief Fund

For artists and activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19
Grants of $250 awarded to selected applicants on an on-going basis dependent upon available funds
Join the waiting list

Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund

For those who BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists and arts administrators
A one-time micro-grant of $200

Artists Fellowship Emergency Aid

For professional fine artists and their families dealing with immediate medical emergencies and their aftermaths
Year-round opportunity, except in the months of July and August
Best time to apply in at the beginning of the month

Artist Relief Project

For any artist in any discipline who has been impacted by COVID19-related cancellations and closures
Stipends and support were given 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
Alternative needs-based opportunity was also available
Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed on future opportunities

Artist Relief Fund

For working artists in dire financial hardship due to COVID-19
Grants of up to $5,000
Deadline not specified

COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource

For freelance artists looking for funding opportunities, wellness support, job opportunities, or information on how to take action to advocate for the arts

Crews Nation Global Relief Fund for Live Music Crews

For live music crews who have been directly impacted as shows are put on pause due to COVID-19
Accepting applications in phases based on when shows were originally scheduled to play

Emerging Artist Initiative

For 30 young creatives and arts professionals
Providing a one-time relief donation of $500
The application window has closed
Check their website for updates about other resources

Freelancers Relief Fund

For freelancers who primarily reside in the United States and experiencing a sudden decrease of at least 50% of income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Assistance of up to $1,000 per household
Applications may be temporarily closed, check their website for updates

Foundation of Contemporary Arts, Artist Relief Fund

For artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed because of the COVID-19 virus
Grants of $1,500 will be awarded to select applicants
Deadline is December 1, 2020

The Haven Foundation

For freelance professional artists who have experienced a recent, unforeseen emergency or triggering event that has significantly and adversely affected the qualified person’s ability to produce, perform and/or market his/her work and, thus, creates the need for immediate relief funds and/or assistance
All work must be done in the United States

The Jazz Foundation's Musicians' Emergency Fund

For musicians who have made a living playing blues, jazz, and roots music
Support programs include housing and emergency assistance, pro-bono medical, disaster relief, and COVID-19 emergency funding

Musicians Foundation Fund

For musicians of any genre in a time of acute need, due to personal, medical, dental, or family crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency situation
Grants typically range in amount from approximately $500-$3000

PEN America, Writers' Emergency Fund

For professional writers
Grants of $500 to $1,000 based on applications that demonstrate an inability to meet an acute financial need, especially one resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak
Applications are currently paused, but an update will be provided on their website in mid-September

The Photographer Fund

For photographers who are facing financial hardships
No longer accepting submissions
Check their website for updates on future deadlines and programs

The Recording Academy and MusiCares Relief Fund

For music professionals affected by the Coronavirus pandemic
COVID-19 emergency fund has closed
Other resources are still available for artists

Relief Fund for Muslim Artists and Activists

The application window is temporarily closed, please check their website for updates

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund

For musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus
A donor-directed fund

Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund

For queer writers of color only
Grants of $100 to $500 based on need
Applications have been paused, please check their website for updates

Programs for Northeastern States

Boston Artist Relief Fund

For individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Grants of $500 to $1,000
The application window will be open on a rolling basis

Boston Music Maker Relief Fund

For Boston-area music makers experiencing lost income as the result of performance cancellations related to COVID-19
grants of up to $200 will be paid rapidly on a first-come, first-served basis to affected artists and groups
The application window closed on April 30, 2020
Other resources are available on their website

Cambridge Artist Relief Fund

For arts organizations and artists who live, work, create, and/or perform in Cambridge
This fund has been closed, check their website for other local resources

Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund

For Cambridge residents – or people whose main source of income emanates from Cambridge, MA
One-time grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 will be made available on a rolling basis until funds are depleted
This fund has been closed

COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL

For individual artists whose operations, work and livelihood have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Up to $500 for working artists and up to $1,000 for small arts and culture organizations in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties
This fund has been closed

Erie Arts & Culture's Emergency Financial Assistance Fund

For creative or cultural professionals in the Erie region
Apply for grants of up to $500

Greater Pittsburgh Emergency Fund for Artists

For artists and creative workers living in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Lawrence, Indiana, Greene, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties
Apply for grants of up to $500
This fund has been closed to new applicants

Theatre Community Benevolent Fund

For active individual theater practitioners and all operational non-profit organizations of Greater Boston and the surrounding areas
Individual funding will be between $500 and $1,500 based on individual circumstances and documentation of specific COVID 19 losses

Mass Cultural Council Relief Fund for Individuals

For individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists who have lost income derived from their work
Grants of up to $1,000
Applications closed on April 22, 2020
Visit their website to learn more about other opportunities for support

New York, Max's Kansas City Project

For professionals in the creative arts living in New York or who have been affiliated with Max's Kansas City
Funding is determined according to the individual’s need and is disbursed in the form of a grant not to exceed $1000
Deadline not specified

NYC Dancers Relief Fund (COVID-19)

For freelance dance artists who have suffered financial losses due to the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the government enforced social restrictions
Funds will be distributed in increments of up to $500 and will not exceed $1,000
Closed until further notice, visit their website to learn more

NYC Indie Theater Fund

For individuals working in NYC independent theater (Off-Off-Broadway in theater houses of 99 seats or less), operating with budgets under $250,000
Grants will be awarded on an on-going basis until funds run out

Tri-State Relief Fund

For tri-state non-salaried workers in the visual artists
Applicants may apply for cash grants of up to $2,000
Application window was open on a rolling basis and has since closed

The Vermont Community Foundation

For artists and arts and cultural organizations located in the state of Vermont
Multiple opportunities available
Some grant deadlines have changed, visit their website to find details

Vermont Rapid Response Artist Relief

For artists who have lost income due to the loss of a job or cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (e.g., commissions, performances, contracts, workshops, classes, etc.) because of COVID-19
Applications are now closed
Visit their website to learn more about awardees

Programs for Central States

The Arts Commission Artist Relief Fund, Toledo

For individual artists and artist collectives with a residence or a creative studio within 25 miles of downtown Toledo
Application window has closed
Visit their website to learn more about awardees

Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund

For Chicago-area theatre professionals
Grants of up to $500 on a first-come-first-served basis
Deadline not specified

Chicago Dancers' Fund

For dance professionals based in Chicago
May provide up to $4,000 annually to a dance professional facing a critical health need
Deadline is not specified

Chippewa Valley Artist Relief Fund

For artists/creatives, living in the Chippewa Valley, in need of support due to event/gig cancellations, the inability to sell your work/book shows, and/or lost revenue from your day job being eliminated from the coronavirus outbreak
Individual distributions are capped at $500
Deadline is not specified

Crosshatch Artist Emergency Fund

For individual artists (not non-profits or institutions) who earn 33% or more of their income from their art, who have lost income because of COVID-19 related cancellations, and who live in the 5-county area of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau, MI
Maximum request of $500
Deadline is not specified

Greater Columbus COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grants for Artists

For professional, working artists (age 18 and older) who live in Franklin County
Grants of up to $1,000, with priority being given to those with the direst needs of shelter, food and other essentials
Application window will be open on a rolling basis

Indy Arts & Culture COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

For individuals working in the arts sector and impacted by the current public health crisis, specifically independent artists and staff working for small-to-midsize nonprofit arts and cultural organizations
Rapid response grants of $500
The application window will be open on a rolling basis

Season of Concern Chicago

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
Deadline not specified

Springboard for the Arts Personal Emergency Relief Fund

For artists in Minnesota
Request up to $500 to compensate for canceled work that was scheduled and lost
The application window will open on a rolling basis dependent upon available funds

Programs for Southern States

ArtsGreensboro Artist Emergency Relief Fund

For artists of Greater Greensboro
ArtsGreensboro will disperse funds weekly, based on available funds

Atlanta Artist Relief Fund

For artists who are unable to leave their home or out of work
Delivering free home-cooked, nutritious meals to doorsteps

Charlottesville Emergency Relief Fund for Artists

For artists living in the Charlottesville area including the city of Charlottesville or the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson
Deadline not specified

Durham Artist Relief Fund

For artists and arts presenters in Durham, NC who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19
Priority given to BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists
Grants will be disbursed once per month depending on available funds

EASL

For visual artists located in North Texas
Deadline not specified

Houston Arts Alliance

For artists and arts organizations headquartered within Houston city limits
All city-funded grant programs are currently closed
Sign up to receive information about future deadlines and programs

New Orleans Business Alliance Relief Fund for Gig Workers

For gig economy workers who have been directly impacted via loss of income
Awards of $500 - $1,000 dependent on a determination of need
The application window is temporarily suspended, visit their website to learn more

North Carolina Artist Relief Fund

For artists and arts presenters in North Carolina who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19
The application window is temporarily closed, please check their website for updates

Oolite Arts Relief Fund for COVID-19

For visual artists who live in Miami-Dade County
Request up to $500 to cover lost income due to the novel Coronavirus
Application window closed on April 16, 2020
Visit their website to learn more

Red Dirt Relief Fund

For individuals currently residing in Oklahoma and has been working in the music industry for at least 5 years
Each recipient is eligible for up to $3,000 annually, or $10,000 maximum in a lifetime, depending on circumstances
Deadline not specified

United Way of Greater Houston

For artists based in the Greater Houston area
Call 2-1-1 to get a personalized list of help available for you. No obligations or sign up required. You can also access their resources online by clicking the link above.

Programs for Western States

4 Culture Cultural Relief Fund

For artists and arts groups in King County, Washington
Grants up to $2,000 for COVID-19-related emergencies
This fund has closed, please visit their website for other resources

Black Cube Video Project

For Colorado-based artists
Awarding 10 artists $200 each for selected video submissions
The application window closed April 10, 2020
Visit their website to learn more

California Relief Fund for Artists and Cultural Practitioners

For more than 900 California-based individual artists and cultural practitioners statewide
Offering unrestricted $1,000 rapid-relief grants
The application window will close on August 18, 2020, at 3 P.M.

COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund

For individual artists of all disciplines residing in Washington State
Grants range from $500-$5,000 based on artists’ needs
Account required

Fulcrum Fund, New Mexico

For 60 artists based within an 80-mile radius of Albuquerque who have lost income as a result of cancellations due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic
Awarding $60,000 in emergency relief grants
This fund has closed, please visit their website to learn more about other resources

IMAGINE 2020 Artist Assistance Fund

For individual artists who live in Denver and within an 80-mile radius of Denver (including Colorado Springs and Fort Collins)
Grants of up to $1,000
The application window is temporarily closed, visit their website to learn more

Laguna Beach Artists’ Benevolence Fund

For working artists living in Laguna Beach, CA
$1000 maximum monthly grant amount
Deadline not specified

Los Angeles Arts Emergency Relief Fund

For City of Los Angeles-based dance, music, and theatre artists, as well as small ensembles who have had their public performances, shows, or concerts canceled
Solo artists are eligible for up to $400 and ensembles up to $1,200
The deadline to apply was June 1, 2020

The Martha Kate Thomas Fund for Artists

For artists located in Boulder County, CO
Grants of up to $3,000 on a rolling basis
Visit their website to find details

The Safety Net Fund

For artists located in the Bay Area
The maximum grant is $500 per person per month, and the number of grants per month is dependent upon the funds raised

The San Francisco Arts & Artists Relief Fund

For individuals (artists, teaching artists, cultural producers, etc.) living full-time in San Francisco
Grants of up to $2,000 may be used however awardee sees fit
This fund has closed, please visit their website for updates

Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19

For the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19
Applications have been temporarily suspended, please check their website for updates

UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund

For artists who have graduated from a Bay Area institution or have lived in the Bay Area for two years as a working artist
Funds of $250 per member of a household
Application deadline was March 31, 2020

Washington State Relief Fund

For individual artists of all disciplines residing in Washington State
Grants range from $500-$5,000 based on artists’ needs
Account required

How to File For Unemployment

We're facing the harsh reality that many in the cultural sector have lost their jobs due to the impact of COVID-19.

Along with applying for grant funding opportunities, make sure you also apply for unemployment if you've recently lost your job and are eligible for unemployment benefits. Learn more.

Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on the Cultural Sector

Read Recent Research