Artist Relief

Artist Relief

Artist Relief was a coalition of national arts grantmakers that came together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial support to artists facing dire financial emergencies. The initiative was launched in April 2020 and aimed to support artists across the United States who were experiencing economic distress due to the pandemic.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the arts community, with many artists losing their primary sources of income due to the cancellation of performances, exhibitions, and other events. In response to this crisis, several arts organizations collaborated to form Artist Relief, a fund designed to provide emergency grants to artists in need.

Founding Organizations

Artist Relief was founded by a coalition of arts grantmakers, including:

• Academy of American Poets
• Artadia
• Creative Capital
• Foundation for Contemporary Arts
• MAP Fund
• National YoungArts Foundation
• United States Artists

These organizations pooled their resources to create a fund that would distribute unrestricted $5,000 grants to artists facing financial emergencies.

Grant Distribution

The grants provided by Artist Relief were intended to support artists in all disciplines, including visual arts, music, theater, dance, literature, and more. The application process was open to any artist living in the United States, and grants were awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

Impact

Artist Relief distributed millions of dollars in grants to thousands of artists across the country. The initiative not only provided immediate financial assistance but also highlighted the critical role that artists play in society and the need for ongoing support for the arts sector.

Legacy

While Artist Relief was initially conceived as a temporary response to the pandemic, it sparked broader conversations about the sustainability and support of the arts in times of crisis. The initiative demonstrated the power of collaboration among arts organizations and set a precedent for future emergency relief efforts.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic and the arts
• Emergency relief funds
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts and cultural heritage

External Links

• [Artist Relief Official Website](https://www.artistrelief.org)