Emergency Aid Resources
This is a resource list compiled by Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) for artists who are experiencing extreme emergencies, such as unexpected health or weather-related emergencies. If you have any resources to add or update, please email a4@aaartsalliance.org.
Resources for Artists Seeking Emergency Aid
Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation - Emergency Grant
International; painters, printmakers, or sculptors with at least 10 years of experience; up to $15,000 for catastrophic incidents or specific emergencies.
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) - Writers Emergency Assistance Fund
National; professional freelance writers; amount not specified, emergency assistance.
Artists Fellowship - Financial Aid
National; visual fine artists; $500-$20,000 for unexpected hardship.
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes - Artist Development Grants
Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties; artists of any discipline; up to $500 for equipment, supplies, or unexpected expenses.
Authors League Fund
National; writers; amount not specified, emergency financial assistance.
The Blues Foundation - HART Fund
National; blues musicians and their families; amount not specified, health-related financial support.
Boulder County Arts Alliance - Thomas Fund Grant
Boulder County; artists of any discipline; up to $3,000 for emergencies.
Broadcasters Foundation of America
National; radio and television broadcasters; amount not specified, emergency grants for personal loss or property damage.
Carnegie Fund for Authors
National; published writers; amount not specified, emergency financial support.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund
National; craft artists living in the U.S. for at least two years; $3,000 for emergencies.
Dramatists Guild Foundation (DGF) - Emergency Grants
National; dramatists; up to $500 for emergency and essential-needs support.
Entertainment Community Fund - Dancers’ Resource
National; performing arts and entertainment professionals; amount not specified, emergency help with essential bills.
Entertainment Community Fund - Emergency Assistance
National; performing arts and entertainment professionals; amount not specified, emergency help with essential bills.
Entertainment Community Fund - HOWL Emergency Life Project
East Village / Lower East Side; artists connected to the Howl Festival or East Village arts community; amount not specified, emergency financial aid and social services.
Episcopal Actors’ Guild (EAG)
New York City; professional performing artists; amount not specified, emergency medical or basic living costs.
Etsy Advocacy (via CERF+) - Emergency Relief Fund
National; Etsy sellers active for at least one year; $2,000 for federally declared disaster impacts.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts - Emergency Grants
National; individual artists or artist collectives; $500-$3,000 for emergency funding related to experimental work.
Gospel Music Trust Fund
National; gospel music artists, writers, musicians, and industry professionals; amount not specified, emergency assistance.
Human Rights Watch - Hellman-Hammett Grants
Global; writers; up to $10,000 for political persecution or emergency situations.
Institute of International Education - Artist Protection Fund
International; artists facing immediate threats due to their work; amount not specified (typically around $35,000).
Jazz Bridge
Greater Philadelphia Region; jazz and blues musicians; up to approximately $500 for emergencies.
Jazz Foundation of America - Musicians Emergency Fund
National; professional jazz and blues musicians; amount not specified, emergency financial assistance.
Max’s Kansas Project - Emergency Grants
New York State; self-employed artists; $500-$1,000 for temporary financial setbacks.
MusiCares
National Eligibility: Music professionals with five years of industry experience, three years if experiencing a natural disaster, or six commercial credits The amount granted varies, but it provides music industry professionals who are in need of crisis relief with funds.
Music Maker Relief Foundation - Sustenance Program
National; low-income musicians, typically age 55+; amount not specified, sustenance and emergency support.
MusiCares
National; music professionals; amount varies, crisis relief and essential expenses.
Musicians Foundation
National; professional musicians; amount not specified, assistance with essential bills.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) - Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants
National; professional dancers; up to $3,000 for financial emergencies.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) - Medical Emergency Grants
National; visual artists, film/video/digital artists, and choreographers; up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.
Opry Trust Fund
National; country music industry professionals; amount not specified, financial assistance.
Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI) - Clayton Fund
Pacific Northwest; professional sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery writers; amount not specified, medical expense assistance.
PEN America - Writers Aid Initiative
National; professional writers; $500-$1,000 for short-term emergencies.
Pinetop Perkins Foundation - Assistance League
National; blues musicians age 50+; approximately $500 for medical or living expenses.
Pollock-Krasner Foundation - Grant Program
International; professional visual artists with established exhibition records; up to $50,000 granted.
Rhythm & Blues Foundation
National; rhythm and blues musicians; amount not specified, financial and medical assistance.
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) - Emergency Medical Fund
National; science fiction and fantasy writers; amount not specified, short-term medical assistance.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
National; career musicians and music industry workers; amount not specified, living and medical expense assistance.
Theatre Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area; theatre professionals; up to $1,000 for illness or injury.
Theatre Community Benevolent Fund
Greater Boston; theater practitioners; amount not specified, emergency financial assistance.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers - Natural Disaster Assistance
National; active movie theater employees; one-time stipend for natural disaster assistance.