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Performing Arts

COVID-19 Resources for the Performing Arts

Updated on Feb. 2, 2021

Below is a list compiled by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Arts Program consisting of resources for arts organizations and artists contending with the impacts of COVID-19. As we become aware of additional resources, we will update this page.


Databases 


Relief Grants for Artists

  • Actors Fund: Entertainment Assistance Program provides services and financial support to entertainment professionals facing personal or work-related problems. It is also a conduit for emergency financial assistance in times of pressing need or in response to catastrophic events.
  • Alternate ROOTS launched The Solidarity Fund which provides financial assistance to ROOTS members experiencing financial need including – but not limited to – loss related to COVID-19, theft, natural disaster, health emergency or an inability to pay an outstanding bill.
  • Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is for US-based BIPOC artists and administrators.
  • Artists Fellowship: Emergency Aid provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship. (Meeting monthly from September to June, the Board of Trustees reviews all applications to determine if they have been properly submitted and if they are eligible. Applicants are encouraged to do this early in the month. The Board does not meet in July and August.)
  • Artist Relief is a national partnership between seven arts grantmakers and a consortium of foundations that offers immediate, unrestricted grants for individual artists of all disciplines, as well as other information and resources to help those in need.
  • Artist + Activist Relief Fund was created by The Soze Foundation, TaskForce, and Invisible Hand, and will support artists and activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19. They will be making $250 grants to selected applicants on an on-going basis and currently have $42,000 total for the first round of grants. (This application is closed, waiting list available.)
  • The Colorado Artist Relief Fund supports artists experiencing economic distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is a collaboration between multiple funders and arts organizations working at state, regional and local levels.
  • The Dancers Fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals in times of critical health need
  • Dramatists Guild Foundation - Emergency grants for writer provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and book writers in dire needs of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.
  • Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA): Emergency Grants Program for visual and performing artists. 
  • Freelancers Relief Fund: Theatre Designers has been established by Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and TheFrontOffice to provide a limited number of rapid response grants of $1,000 each for scenic, lighting, costume, sound and projection designers who have had theatre employment within January 2019 - March 2020. 
  • The Haven Foundation offers interim financial assistance to freelance professionals in the arts who face crises.
  • Jazz Foundation of America: Musicians’ Emergency Fund provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis.
  • Newport Festivals Foundation has established the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund to provide financial relief to musicians in the Folk and Jazz communities experiencing a loss of income as a result of COVID-19 through rapid micro and full grants. The focus and priority will be on artists who have played the Newport Jazz or Folk Festivals and those in the Rhode Island community. All other applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • North Carolina Artist Relief Fund has been created to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Artists and arts presenters in North Carolina can apply for emergency funding.
  • The Solidarity Fund 2.0 provides one-time grants to individual artists, cultural workers and small arts organizations in the U.S. South experiencing financial emergency or hardship specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications accepted through March 11, 2021 at 12:00 pm ET.
  • The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) created an Emergency Assistance Fund to aid Members of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Theatre Community Benevolent Fund provides financial relief in a confidential, respectful manner to individual theater practitioners and non-profit theater organizations of Greater Boston and the surrounding areas, facing occurrences of a catastrophic nature including but not limited to extreme illness, devastating acts of nature, housing emergencies, vandalism, and theft, and who have limited or no resources with which to handle such events.

Relief Support for Organizations 


Guides for Artists & Organizations


Other Resources

 


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