Our Top Artist Resource Links are here for YOU!…

Home / Blog / Our Top Artist Resource Links are here for YOU!…

In the midst of COVID 19, we are aware of the many impacts that many in our community are experiencing. We have curated a collection of resources that are available to Artists, Dancers, and Musicians through both public and private grant programs. This list is constantly changing and growing as new programs are becoming available. So please check back on an ongoing basis.

NYC Cultural Affairs provides ways to access

  • Free meals: Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city, operated by the New York City Department of Education.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program is making $350 billion available on a first-come, first-served basis. Nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees, independent contractors, sole proprietors, self-employed, and “gig economy” workers may be eligible for forgivable, low-interest loans through the program.
  • The Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance program provides low-interest disaster relief loans up to $2 million, with eligibility for nonprofit organizations. If eligible, organizations may also request a forgivable advance loan of up to $10,000 which can be paid within three days of a request

Mental health issues and burnout have become even more common during and after the pandemic. The Berkeley University of California, through their Berkeley Extension, have gathered mental health resources to help prevent creative and professional burnout in this page.

Recording Academy – MusiCares is aware of the enormous financial burden to those whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19. They are deeply saddened that it is resulting in loss of work due to venue closures, festival and event cancellations and travel restrictions. To help address the concerns of the music industry during this time, MusiCares has expanded their services to include lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or performances due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.

CERF+ Emergency grants and other assistance are available to professional artists working in craft disciplines who have had a recent career-threatening emergency.  These grants are applicable to Visual Artists, All Artists, Musicians, and Actors + Performing Artists.  These and other resources are accessible at CERF+ The Artists Safety Net.

In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the artist community, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts is creating 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. If you are unsure about whether your work is experimental, you can see other artists they have supported on their Instagram and their website.

COVID-19 & Freelance Artists provides an an aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines. This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.

Jazz Road, a program of South Arts – As the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, performing artists were among some of the first and hardest hit. South Arts continues to deliver support for jazz road tours, residencies and presenters support. Check out their website here.

Creative Capital – provides access to links for online workshops for various relevant subjects such as Coping with COVID: Livestreaming for Artistsand Financial Implications for Creative Individuals and national grants such as the Actors Fund Entertainment Assistance Program, the Artist Relief Project, the Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund, as well as many others.