It’s been a year since COVID-19 essentially shut down the film production world. The industry has opened up safely and slowly and more projects will go into production as vaccinations increase in each region around the world. This past year has been very, very challenging and support and assistance is still necessary for many performing arts professionals. Many funds sprung up immediately after last Spring 2020 and have since closed. This post highlights several programs and funds that are still open for emergency funding applications.
Actors Fund Emergency Financial Assistance has given out over $20 million in emergency financial assistance to more than 15,000 people since March 2020. These funds are available to union and non-union workers in entertainment and the performing arts.
AFC emergency fund gives short-term emergency financial assistance for entertainment industry professionals working in TV, film, music, theatre and dance to Canadian residents.
Artists’ Fellowship provides emergency aid to professional visual artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship.
Artist Relief Project Emergency Relief Fund offers grants to any individual artist in any discipline whose income has been impacted by COVID-19-related cancellations and closures.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund assists those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COIVD-19 pandemic and who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color.)
Behind the Scenes Grant is offered to entertainment technology professionals who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 and are in financial need in the US and Canada.
Carnegie Fund for Authors grant is available to American authors who have published at least one full-length work – fiction or non-fiction – that has been published by a mainstream publisher. The grant offers assistance for emergencies due to illness, urgent need or natural disaster.
Cerf+ COVID-19 Relief Grant Cerf+ is an organization that offers a safety net to artists. The fund gives grants for artists working in craft disciplines who are facing dire circumstances due to food, housing and/or medical insecurities as a result of the ongoing pandemic. The third cycle just closed but you can contact them about the deadlines for the next cycle.
From the Heart Productions’ Documentarian Emergency Relief Fund was made possible by a donation from Carole Dorothy Joyce and gives grants to documentary producers and directors facing dire financial emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Max’s Emergency Relief & Resource Fund Offered by Max’s Kansas City Project for one-time grants to assist self-employed artists who reside in New York State and have a steady work history, but who are experiencing a temporary financial set back.
NYFA Emergency Grants The New York Foundation for the Arts has put together a long list of COVID-19 Grant resources for artists with criteria based on state residence, specialty and type of artistic discipline.
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants This program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies. The Cycle 6 application just closed but contact the organization about future funding cycles.
SAG-AFTRA Disaster Relief Fund The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s emergency assistance fund is available for SAG-AFTRA members who have been impacted by COVID-19 and the 2021 winter storms.
