Emergency Resources
- 10 Creative Ways Musicians Can Earn Money from Home During COVID-19: tips compiled by Guitar Junky (August 2020).
- Actors Fund: national human services organization (with a Chicago office) that provides emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development. These services are designed for performing arts and entertainment professionals.
- Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant: intended to provide interim financial assistance to qualified artists whose needs are the result of an unforeseen, catastrophic incident, and who lack the resources to meet that situation.
- AGMA Relief Fund: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need.
- Alliance of Artists Communities: offers a list of emergency relief programs.
- Americans for the Arts (AFTA): is regularly updating this page about national news and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Anonymous Was a Woman | Emergency Relief Fund Grant: a national fund in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts that will distribute $250,000 in unrestricted grants (up to $2,500 apiece) to women-identifying visual artists over the age of 40 who live in the US and territories (see details).
- Artist Relief: a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Artists' Charitable Fund: assists American artists living anywhere in the United States by paying a portion of their medical, dental, and/or eye-care bills.
- Artists' Fellowship, Inc.: provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship.
- ARTSEARCH: powered by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), ARTSEARCH is a free online platform for job seekers and job postings.
- Arts for Illinois Relief Fund: a statewide effort in Illinois that provides financial relief to artists and arts organizations with urgent need due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund: this fund supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists and administrators (consultants, facilitators, box office staff, seasonal/temporary employees, etc.) who have been financially strained due to COVID-19.
- Blues Foundation: special fund provides immediate resources to full-time blues musicians whose revenue streams have been severely diminished by the current coronavirus pandemic.
- CERF+ (Craft Emergency Relief Fund): provides rapid relief and career recovery loans through their own grants (for artists working in craft disciplines) as well as a list of emergency resources for artists in other disciplines.
- Chicago Artist Relief Fund: This fund was created by Chicago-area artists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They allocate microgrants of up to $300 each in order to support their colleagues in the greater Chicago arts community who are experiencing financial repercussions due to pandemic-related cancellations.
- Chicago Federation of Musicians: emergency financial relief for members in good standing of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208. Specifically, the fund will supply financial relief to those members affected by the loss of work and wages as of 03/12/20 – 05/17/20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund: developed by the League of Chicago Theatres and The Saints, this fund is intended to help Chicago area theater professionals replace lost income due to theater closures.
- Common Field COVID-19 Resources: an open-source list designed for the artist organization field.
- COVID-19 Arts Preparedness & Response Resource List: compilation of links and articles from the Alliance of Artists Communities.
- COVID-19 Presenting Your Work Online: an article published by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) guiding artists through ways to digitally connect with their audience.
- COVID-19 Resource Center for Nonprofits: a compilation of information and links from the Donorbox Nonprofit Blog.
- Creative Capital: offers a list of resources for artists and arts organizations affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Creator Fund: organized by ConvertKit, this fund helps creators in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Cultural Critics Relief Fund: $500 need-based grants to cultural critics working in dance, film/television, food, literary arts, music, theater, or visual arts (anyone based in US or US territorities may apply).
- Direct Relief for Puppet Artists: $500 one-time grants for members of Puppeteers of America or UNIMA-USA (or have been within the last year) who have documented losses of a minimum of $500 of work in the puppetry field due to COVID-19.
- Disabled Creatives & Activists Relief Fund: organized by Crip Camp and Color for Change, this fund will disperse $1,200 grants to disabled creatives and activists experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19.
- Emergency Grant for Curators: administered by the Kinkade Family Foundation, this grant is intended for curators who have a venue secured for a project and are greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund: for musicians who have lost income from gigs cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants: in addition to a year-round Emergency Grant program for visual or performing artists, FCA announced a temporary fund to meet the needs of experimental artists who have been impacted by the economic fallout from postponed or canceled performances and exhibitions in the wake of COVID-19.
- For the People Artists Collective: offering emergency microgrants of up to $500 to Illinois-based artists and freelancers of color whose income has been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Freelance Artist Resources: an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
- Illinois Humanities COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grants: offering $2,500 grants for general operating support for Illinois-based humanities and cultural non-profits with annual budgets of $300,000 or less.
- Jazz Foundation of America: a musician's emergency fund provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief, and direct financial support in times of crisis.
- Joan Mitchell Foundation: provides emergency support to US-based visual artists working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and/or drawing, who have suffered significant losses after natural or man-made disasters that have affected their community.
- Literary Arts Emergency Fund: literary organizations and publishers can apply for one-time emergency grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 beginning July 17 through August 7, 2020.
- Maurice Sendak Emergency Relief Fund: in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), this fund will provide one-time grants of up to $2,500 to children's picture book authors and writers.
- Museum Workers Relief Fund: open application for $500 in relief funding for museum workers in the U.S. who have been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Musicians Foundation: provides one-time assistance to professional musicians in the US for periods of acute need (e.g. medical crisis, crime victimization, catastrophic events, etc.)
- National Coalition for Arts' Preparedness & Emergency Response (NCAPER): a voluntary task force of national, regional, state, and local arts organizations, public agencies, and foundations, NCAPER helps ensure that artists, arts/cultural organizations, cultural funders, and arts businesses have the capacity and ability to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies affecting the arts and culture sector.
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): offers a list of emergency relief resources.
- Pandemic of Love: a national, mutual aid organization that connects people in need with people who can offer wide-ranging support. There are Illinois chapters in Chicago and Lisle. Artists in need can fill out the "Get Help" form and those looking to support can click on "Give Help."
- Pillars | Relief Fund for Muslim Artists & Activists: emergency grants of $500 for individual artists and activists who identify as Muslim and who are in the United States.
- Propeller IMPACT Fund: For 2020, the Propeller Fund is adapting its annual project-based re-granting program to focus on providing $500 unrestricted, one-time grants over four rounds to artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund: supports queer writers of color (priorit to queer trans women of color and queer disabled writers of color) who have been financially affected by COVID-19 crisis.
- Rauschenberg Emergency Grants: beginning in May 2020, in partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts, this national program will provide visual and media artists and choreographers with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.
- Season of Concern: Chicagoland theater community’s fundraising effort in providing compassionate care to those in our community who are experiencing the effects of incapacitating illness, injury, or circumstance.
- Statera: offers an Emergency Response Directory for artists during COVID-19 that covers topics such as advocacy, social justice action, travel/visa information, funding, best practices for online teaching/learning/gathering, etc.
- Sustain Chicago Music: this nonprofit is raising funds to provide $1,000 emergency grants to Chicago musicians. Donors of at least $40 may also nominate a specific artist.
- Sweet Relief: created a donor-directed fund with a limited amount of support to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the coronavirus.
- The Dancers Fund: provides financial assistance to dance professionals dealing with critical health issues creating a significant financial, emergency, or catastrophic hardship.
- The Haven Foundation: provides financial assistance to artists who have a health crisis; grants are one-year, and the financial amount provided is to the discretion of the Foundation.
- Threewalls Response + Relief Fund: $500 grants to support Chicago arts workers. The first round (opening 2/19/21) will prioritize recently laid off or furloughed arts administrators and curators.
- Unlimited: links to disabled artists and freelancers during the pandemic.
- WomenArts: offers a list of emergency funding for artists working in all art forms.
Funding Search Engines & More
- CaFE (Call for Entry): searchable database of artist calls for shows, exhibitions, and residencies, as well as grants and awards.
- Chicago Artists Resource: job and grant opportunities, professional development resources, space, and more.
- Fractured Atlas Blog: frequently publishes grant opportunities and articles. Two useful archived articles include "5 Tips for Grant Research" and "6 Commonly Asked Questions on Grant Applications."
- New York Foundation for the Arts: national database of grant opportunities for artists working in all disciplines (visit the NYFA Source section).
- Philanthropy News Digest (PND): publishes RFPs (requests for proposals) and awards opportunities.
- Theater Communications Group: grants for individual theater artists (visit the Grants for Individuals section).
- WomanArts: funding resources and newsletters geared for women artists in theater, film, writing, and visual art.
Local Grant Opportunities
- Arts + Public Life with the Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture: an annual “Critical Boundaries Prize” for artists seeking to form a unique project-based collaboration that stretches the boundaries of their work as individuals to date.
- Arts Midwest Touring Fund: grants to presenting organizations in the performing arts located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- Awesome Foundation (Chicago chapter): unrestricted microgrants on a monthly basis for projects in multiple disciplines, with an additional fund specifically for projects by artists with disabilities (more here).
- Chicago Artists Coalition: offers three different unrestricted grant programs designed to offer artists financial support to help them build on their practice.
- Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF): annual $15,000 Lab Artist Awards, $4,000 Greenhouse Awards, as well as information and professional development resources for local dance artists.
- Chicago Dancers United: The Dancers' Fund: provides financial assistance ($2,000 to $4,000 grants) to dance community professionals dealing with a critical health issue that is creating a significant financial, emergency, or catastrophic hardship.
- Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Cultural Grants (DCASE): grants for projects and professional development needs for local artists.
- Diverse Voices in Docs: a nine-month professional mentorship and development program for documentary filmmakers of color, organized by Kartemquin Films and the Community Film Workshop of Chicago.
- Efroymson Contemporary Arts Fellowship: grants to visual artists living in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
- Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts: project-based grants for individual artists interested in architecture and its role in the arts.
- Illinois Arts Council Agency: fellowships, project, and professional development grants in all disciplines (state budget dependent).
- Luminarts: grant and fellowship opportunities for young artists (18-30) working in the disciplines of visual art, music, or writing.
- Propeller Fund: project funding for individual and collaborative visual artists.
National Grant Opportunities
- A Blade of Grass: an annual fellowship that includes project support for artists who are working in leadership roles and in partnership with communities to enact social change.
- Aaron Copland Fund for Music: three grant programs in support of contemporary American music, including for recording, performing ensembles, and more.
- Aaron Siskind Foundation: individual photographer's fellowships to support and encourage contemporary artists working in the photographic field.
- Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation: individual support grants to painters, sculptors, and printmakers who have been creating mature work for at least 20 years. They also provide Emergency Grants for mature artists (see below).
- Alexia Foundation: production grants to students and professional photographers.
- Artadia: grants on a rotating basis to visual artists in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Barbara Deming Memorial Inc. Fund: provides grants to individual feminists in the arts (writers and visual artists).
- Bennett Prize: award for women painters who paint in the figurative realist style and have not yet reached full professional recognition.
- Bloom Fund: provides unrestricted $1,200 grants in visual arts, literature, small business, non-profit, research, and education for individuals who identify as black, indigenous, and/or person of color.
- Creative Capital: project grants for artists and arts writers in various disciplines on a rotating basis.
- Harpo Foundation: grants for visual artists; new work project grants for organizations; Native American fellowships; and Emerging Artist Residency Fellowships.
- Illuminations Grant for Black Trans Women Visual Artists: this new annual $10,000 grant, awarded to draw attention to an existing body of work, sheds light on the under-recognized contributions of Black trans women visual artists and provides critical support for their continuing work.
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation: annual fellowships are for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts.
- Lewis Prize for Music: annual award to leaders in diverse and vibrant communities who create positive change by investing in young people through music.
- MAP Fund: supports performance projects by artists that question, disrupt, complicate, and challenge inherited notions of social and cultural hierarchy across the American landscape.
- Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation: supports performances by American artists at important cultural festivals and arts marketplaces around the globe.
- National Dance Project Production Grant: offered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), these production grants provide funds for the creation and U.S. touring of new dance works.
- National Theater Project Grants: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) offers four different project grants to theater artists.
- New Music USA: supports individuals and organizations with project-support grants, which cover "any kind of activity that involves new music getting out into the world through a live performance or recording."
- Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Inc.: grants for artistic merit and financial need to visual artists who are painters, sculptors or artists who work on paper, including printmakers.
- Princess Grace Awards: grants for emerging theater, dance, and film artists who are at the outset of their careers or at early stages of professional development.
- Puffin Foundation: grants to artists working in a variety of disciplines, with an emphasis on supporting art that educates the public on topical issues.
- Relentless Award: annual cash prize awarded to a playwright in recognition of a new play.
- Sustainable Arts Foundation: grants to individual artists and writers with children.
- Vilcek Foundation: awards to immigrant artists in theater.
Crowdfunding
There are multiple opportunities available to artists who seek to fund projects through crowd-sourcing initiatives. See the following for a selection of resources.
- 3AP (3Arts Projects)
- Artist-Share
- Fundraising by Fractured Atlas
- Hatchfund
- Indiegogo
- Ioby
- Kickstarter
- Patreon
- Ratafire
- Rockethub
- Selfstarter
Tips from 3AP Artists on Crowdfunding
[DOWNLOAD PDF]
Fiscal Sponsorship
Some resources about fiscal sponsorship:
- 8 Things Fiscal Sponsorship Isn't
- Artists and Fiscal Sponsorship: What Is It and Why Should You Use It?
- Fiscal Sponsor Directory: search by state/province or service category.
- National Network of Fiscal Sponsors: comprehensive guidelines and best practices.
A selection of fiscal sponsorship programs:
- Alliance of Artists Communities assists artist residency programs that are just getting started, international residencies, and temporary entities that lack 501(c)(3) tax status.
- Chicago Filmmakers for noncommercial films or video projects.
- Experimental Sound Studio for artists working in music, sound art, installation, cinema, performing arts, sound poetry, broadcast, new media, and more.
- Fractured Atlas for artists working in any discipline.
- Full Spectrum Features for creators of film or media projects aligned with FSF's mission to increase diversity in media.
- New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) a national program for artists working in any discipline.
- Pentacle offers fiscal sponsorship through its Foundation for Independent Artists program (FIA).