Resources and Funding Help for Artists

We understand how difficult this can be for many artists and hope this list of resources may help you. We hope you are all staying safe and healthy during this time.

Government Stimulus Package for Artists

1. Self-employed workers have never before been eligible to claim unemployment (with weekly rent supplements) but now they can.This is a clear article offering answers:https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html?fbclid=IwAR05Cn4yewlzdGgRvsTdgbSRPXRU-rEjfSE_Cd-6E9hOk_CVWRbbYyc2wxA
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   Here is where to apply:
   https://www.mass.gov/service-details/check-eligibility-for-unemployment-benefit
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2. The Essex County Artist Fund. Essex County Community Foundation’s response to the immediate and everyday needs of artists to be supported and lifted up across the county and across sectors. The fund will provide $400 per applicant to support full or part-time professional artists who have lost income used to sustain their creative practice due to the COVID-19 crisis.
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   https://mailchi.mp/7bf57298f4c8/essex-county-artists-fund-now-live?e=3d6db89ba7
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3. The Joan Mitchell Foundation has joined forces with fellow arts founders to form Artist Relief, a new national, multidisciplinary initiative offering rapid, unrestricted funding of $5,000 to individual artists in all disciplines, plus additional resources to help those in need.Visit ArtistRelief.org to apply for the Relief Grant: View the resource database, complete the COVID-19 impact survey, or make a tax-deductible donation to help grow the fund for Artist Relief.
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4. Mass Cultural Council announces the upcoming launch (pending final approval by our governing Council) of the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals. Grants of $1,000 will be available to Massachusetts individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists who have lost income derived from their work as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures.https://mailchi.mp/art/artist-news-covidfund-546033?e=f85be1f14a
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5. The Borrowers Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Please contact Rnac.operationsmanager@gmail.com to request the application and information sheet to be sent to you.
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6. MCCs Individual Relief Fund is LIVE and the link for more info and to apply can be found here (https://massculturalcouncil.org/artists-art/covid-19-relief-fund-for-individuals/application-process ). The individual grants are for up to $1000, which at this time, means 225 grants. The only change from what we discussed at our initial check-in is that the grants will not be “first come, first served”, they will be randomized. This will hopefully add an added level of equity to artists in areas with limited internet access.
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7. Booooooom.com offers an extensive list of Crisis Resources for Creatives and a Giant List of Helpful Links for Artists including emergency resources, grants, relief funds, inspiration, education about free creative software trials, and tips on how to embrace remote work.https://www.booooooom.com/2020/03/20/covid-19-resources-for-artists/?mc_cid=a92726a64b&mc_eid=433e539010
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8. Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.  Here is a link to the first in what they plan to be a series on guiding artists through legal issues.  This one is on unemployment assistance for artists.
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   https://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/volunteer-lawyers-for-the-arts-guide-to-unemployment-assistance/