Resources for Artists

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

We’ve compiled this list of resources for you and we encourage you to apply and/or support these organizations.

Creative Capital has established Artist Relief: unrestricted emergency funding of $5,000 for individual artists of all disciplines.

The Obie Awards in conjunction with the American Theatre Wing, has established a relief fund of $250,000 to support artists impacted by COVID related closures of productions. Though the initial fund has been exhausted, you can apply for future support opportunities and resources.

The Actors Fund has partnered with several industry organizations to provide emergency financial assistance to those who have immediate financial needs. Please note, while some of the funds are for members of entertainment unions, you do not need to be a union member to receive help from The Actors Fund.

The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund is intended to help replace lost income for Chicago area theatre professionals due to theatre closures. The Fund is available to all those who have had to stop work and are not getting paid, including those who were on contract, part-time employees and those working on a stipend that was not paid. Chicago area theatre professionals may apply for a grant of $500 on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan Program from the Hebrew Free Loan Society provides interest-free loans of $2,000-$5,000 to residents of New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester or Long Island who are facing financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Creator Fund is providing financial assistance to active creators who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. If you have medical, childcare, housing or grocery needs, please apply for assistance.

The Dramatists Guild Foundation provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.

The Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund was set up on short notice to provide direct financial assistance to musicians who have lost work as a result of Corona-related event cancellations.

Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs.

The Indie Theatre Rapid Relief Emergency Fund will reward grants of up to $500 to support our community, prioritizing the consortium of companies, venues and individuals working in NYC independent theater (Off-Off-Broadway in theater houses of 99 seats or less), operating with budgets under $250,000.

Max’s Kansas City Project provides emergency funding and resources to professionals in the creative arts who live in New York state. Individuals who have made their living through their art form, either professionally or personally, and demonstrate a financial need for medical aid, legal aid or housing. The maximum grant is $1,000.

The NEWBlackMutualAid fund strives to create a safety net and financial support for Black Theater Professionals through a time of revolution and pandemic.

The New York City Office of Small Business Services will provide relief for small businesses across New York City seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit. The City is also offering small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees.

The See Lighting Foundation is a fundraiser that provides immediate relief for low-income immigrant theater artists who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

ARTISTIC CONTENT

These are some platforms for gathering as a community and sharing work.

Theater in Quarantine is a new performance laboratory created by Joshua William Gelb dedicated to the exploration of the theatrical experience in the digital space. This white-box theater has been constructed inside one of my closets and is streaming new projects in the hopes of understanding how artists can adapt to the digital form without sacrificing the integrity of the live event, as well as navigating how we can continue to responsibly collaborate while social distancing. I am excited to offer artists the opportunity to work in this space and would love to discuss how you can be involved, whether you’re interested in offering up new music, text, a design impulse, a dance, a one-person adaptation of your favorite short story, a costume or prop you’re able to send me in the mail, an in-ear series of prompts — I can be your puppet, your collaborator, your surrogate, your tech director, your supernumerary, your stage manager.

Theatre Without Theater is an Instagram account started by three theatre artists to honor the productions that have been cancelled or postponed during this time. Work is shared every evening at “curtain time” of 7:30pm. If you would be interested in sharing your work, please reach out to theatrewithouttheater@gmail.com.

Trickle Up is an artists-helping-artists network. If we can get 10,000 subscribers at $10 a month, then every month we can give $10,000 to 10 different artists affected by the COVID-19 cancelations. And every month 10 new artists in need will get $10,000. If we surpass our goal, more people will get help.

SHARE YOUR STORY

Agencies across the United States are asking how COVID-19 is disrupting daily life. Use the links below to share your story with groups who are making decisions.

A.R.T./NY is accepting survey responses from affiliated companies and artists on how COVID-19 has affected their programing and revenue.

Americans for the Arts is a non-profit advocacy group that promotes the interests of artists on the national stage. Fill out their survey to share how COVID-19 has affected your organization and livelihood.

TEACHING RESOURCES

We’ll share out resources and tips for teaching during this time of upheaval.

This Early Childhood Teaching Artist Database connects teaching artists to families with young children who are looking to hire people for remote story times, art lessons, sing-a-alongs, etc.

Facilitators for Pandemic Response Group has compiled an Online Meetings, Classes and Events Resource List to offer helpful tips on how to successfully transition much of your offline work, online. Troubleshooting and tips for Zoom, Google Hangouts, Working Remotely, and much more.

Hester Street – Community Engagement in Times of COVID-19 is a resource guide with strategies for community organizations and practitioners on how to conduct inclusive engagement processes during challenging times.

Read this Howlround essay written by Tracy C. Davis, Teaching Performing Arts During the Pandemic. In this essay, Tracy has interviewed several professors of performing arts, and how they are adapting to teaching online.

How to Teach Movement While Social Distancing offers tips for educators on how to teach movement-based classes online.

HireArtists.org is a marketable skills database for artistic professionals to offer services such as knitting classes, writing and video editing, dramaturgy, home gardening, etc. that they can offer remotely to individuals who are able to and looking to purchase specific services.

Incite/Insight has compiled a list of resources and articles to help support theatre educators during this unprecedented time.

No Neighbors in Need is a hub of resources for New Yorkers on how to access essential services while also fighting the spread of COVID-19.

NYC Arts in Education Roundtable‘s COVID-19 Resource Page will serve as a consistent entity for organizations and individuals to turn to for support, guidance, and solidarity as we all grapple with the impact of COVID-19.

Teaching Theatre Online is a compilation of tips and considerations for college and university professors teaching theatre and performance online.

Google has created Teach From Home, a temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

This Theatre Education Distance Learning Facebook group is a resource and support network for theatre educators transitioning to distance learning.

The Kennedy Center offers a carefully curated collection of resources intended to provide educators, caregivers, and learners with ideas and strategies for addressing the needs of students who need to study and learn online. We will be adding more lists and updating them regularly.

Virtual Culture is a coalition of 16+ New York City arts and culture organizations that have come together to serve NYC public school students with engaging, free live virtual arts programs year-round.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE HUBS

 

A.R.T./New York is compiling resources for theatre companies, independent producers, freelance artists, and the general public in light of the spread of COVID-19 in New York City.

Creative Capital has always been anchored by a rich spirit of community and mutual generosity, and they believe that continuing communication and exchange are crucial for all of us. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States, they have created a list of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists and arts professionals. See the compiled resources

Freelance Artists Resource List: A compiled list of resources for freelance artists including Legal and Advocacy Information, Emergency Funding, Health and Mental Health Resources and more. See the compiled resources

New York Foundation for the Arts has compiled an extensive and comprehensive list of resources and financial support for artists of multiple disciplines and mediums.

New York State Council on the Arts is compiling different types of resources including financial, business and legal support, preparedness, webinars and roundtables, and much more.

Theatre Communications Group offers a list of key resources and relief efforts as well as a breakdown of grants and resources available by state.

Women Arts has compiled a large list of funding resource options for artists of many different disciplines. See the compiled resources

RESOURCES FOR FOR COMBATING RACISM & XENOPHOBIA

Asian Americans Advancing Justice has asked people to report hate incidents and racist actions relating to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) and Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) have launched this reporting center to allow community members to report incidents of hate they have experienced. Individual information, including personal identification details, will be kept confidential and will only be shared with permission. In the aggregate, the information will be used for assistance, advocacy and education. Available for the following languages: English, Chinese – Traditional, Chinese – Simplified, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Make the Road Offers resources for immigrant and undocumented communities.

New York Attorney General Hotline A new hotline will be open to report hate crimes and bias-related situations amid a rise in assaults and harassment directed toward Asian-Americans in New York. The hotline is (800) 771-7755; emails can also be sent to civil.rights@ag.ny.gov.

#RacismisaVirus and #WashtheHate are two hashtag campaigns started by Asian American Pacific Islander Artists (AAPI) artists.

The Sundance Institute has compiled a helpful list of resources for antiracism work that includes mental health & allyship resources, recommended reading & viewing and where to donate your money.

Training for Change is a training and capacity-building organization for activists and organizers. They provide online workshops and tools for group facilitation towards movement building and social justice.

PETITIONS FOR GOVERNMENT AID

Tell Congress to include displaced entertainment workers in relief packages (IATSE) Add your voice.

Write letters to Senators voicing support for the arts throughout the month of October as part of the #ArtsAreMySuperpower nationwide effort. Learn how to add your voice.

Petition for Federal Aid Packages for the Events Industry (Digerati Productions, AV Educate) Add your voice.

Petition Mayor DeBlasio to freeze rent for all NYC residents Add your voice.

Ask Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora and Youtube to support touring musicians Add your voice.

***
If you have additional resources that should be added to this page, please email Rachel Silverman at RachelS@nytw.org.