COVID-19 Resources for Artists/Organizations and Texas Folklife's Response to COVID-19

Resources for Artists and Organizations

 

As an arts nonprofit, we have felt the impact of this pandemic as well. We encourage artists and organizations to use the resources below to help provide whatever assistance you may need during this period. We will update this list as we find more relevant resources. If you have any other resources you think should be included in this list or need help applying for fund, please reach out directly at info@texasfolklife.org:

 

Funding Opportunities That Are Actively Accepting Applications

Archival Workers Emergency Fund (Currently accepting applications. All archival workers are eligible. SAA membership is not required. Support of up to $1,000 will be given.)

Arts Fellowship Emergency Aid (Currently accepting applications. The Artists’ Fellowship provides emergency aid to professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement or unexpected extreme hardship. At this time, we are temporarily limiting relief and assistance applications to those qualified applicants who are dealing with immediate medical emergencies and their aftermath.)

Austin Creative Alliance Emergency Relief Fund (Grants of up to $500 to help artists maintain personal and financial stability in the Greater Austin Area. ACA is reviewing applications daily to get relief funds to artists as quickly as possible. Currently accepting applications)

Behind the Scenes (Grants for entertainment technology workers. Types of Grants offered include Basic Needs, Counselling, and Funeral Assitance Grants. Performing artists are not eligible unless they have been hospitalized because of COVID-19 and are in financial need. Currently accepting applications)

The Blues Foundation HART Fund (Grants for blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. Currently accepting applications by direct request)

CERF+ Craft Emergency Relief Fund (Currently accepting applications. The COVID-19 Relief Grant provides $1,000 to 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.)

City of Austin RENT Assistance Program Portal (Applications Open Now through December or until funding runs out. Provides temporary assistance to Austin residents who are experiencing COVID-19 related income loss)

Dallas Artist Relief Fund ($200 Micro-grants intended to support low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and freelance artists in Dallas that are affected by COVID-19. Currently accepting applications)

Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S Artists, Performers, & Tip-Based Workers (Currently accepting applications. Grants between $200-$1200.)

HOME (Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers) Emergency Grant ($500 emergency housing grants for artists in or within 50 miles of Austin) are at least 55 years of age, with a minimum of 20 years history a working musician. Currently accepting applications)

Houston Music Foundation (Currently accepting applications. One-time grants of $500 for individuals working music industry professional and full-time resident of Harris County with the ability to prove residency.)

International Bluegrass Music Association - Bluegrass Trust Fund (Grants of up to $500 for Bluegrass music professionals who have derived at least 50% of their income from bluegrass music activities for the past five years. Currently accepting applications)

Jazz Foundation of America (Offers financial support, housing assistance, and pro bono medical care for musicians that have made a living playing blue, jazz, and roots music. Currently accepting applications)

Mid-America Arts Alliance American Rescue Plan Grants (Grants for arts & culture Non-Profits between $10,000 and $40,000. Applications are due November 1.)

NYFA Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants (One-time grants up to $5,000 open to visual/media artists and Choreographers who have experienced an unexpected medical, dental, or mental health emergency since March 1, 2020, and are in financial need. Cycle 10 will open on November 1, with a deadline of November 29, for emergencies occurring April 1, 2021 and later.)

Sweet Relief Grant (Grants for musicians and music industry workers affected by COVID-19. Currently accepting applications)

$550 Grants for Artists and Photographers (Application currently open for Summer 2021.)

 

Lists of Resources and Funding Opportunities

American Folklore Society: Covid-19 Resources(Resources, funding opportunities, and more geared towards folk and traditional artists)

Americans for the Arts: Coronavirus Response Center(National, State, and Regional resources for individuals and organizations)

Artists Thrive(Google sheet with funding opportunities and resources for artists)

Austin Creative Alliance(Emergency Grants, Business Strategies, Government Aid, and Other Resources)

Billboard: Nationwide Resources for Musicians(Consistently being updated. National, State, and City-Specific grants and resources for music professionals)

Covid-19 Resource Guide for Artists(Resources for Video recording, Content strategies, and live streaming)

Funding Opportunities for Composers(Multiple funding opportunities for composers with varying deadlines. Disclaimer: Some funding opportunities require entry fees)

HAA Resources for Artists and Nonprofits (List of COVID-19 Resources for the arts community, including artists and non-profits)

How to Apply for the CARES Act and Nonprofit Relief Funds(Resources for individuals and Non-profits)

I Lost My Gig Austin (Database of local Austin artists that lost work due to SXSW cancellation for a chance to receive direct support. If you are eligible, contact them to be listed on their website.)

Mellon Foundation Crisis Relief Grants(Recently announced initiative to support 1,500 artists and arts organizations as COVID-19 crisis continues)

Mid-America Arts Alliance: Resources for COVID-19 Pandemic(Resources for organizations and individuals)

NCAPER (Artist resources and funding opportunities)

Resources and Info for Texas Music Businesses Affected by COVID-19(Multiple grant opportunities, grants specifically for Austin-area artists and non-specified geographic regions)

SIMS Foundation (List of mental health and substance use recovery resources for musicians and their families)

TCA: List of Arts Resources(State, Regional, and Federal resources and funding opportunities)

Teachers of Remote Arts Instruction Network (TRAIN)(Learn a folk and traditional arts discipline remotely from an artist or get listed in their artist registry)

Texans for the Arts (Resources and funding opportunities for organizations and artists)

 

Closed Applications with Future Funding Possibilities

Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund (Applications currently closed, additional information will be provided in the late Summer/early Fall of 2021. $200 Micro-grants intended to help those who identify as BIPOC and are artists or arts administrators.)

CERF+ Craft Emergency Relief Fund(Applications closed Sept 9. Stay tuned for updates on future funding opportunities)

Houston Music Foundation (Grants for Houston area artists impacted by COVID-19. Round one closed April 10th, the second round of applications will be opening soon.)

National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund (NPN offers unrestricted funds for projects that allow artists to take risks while creating work, a minimum of $12,000 award. This fund focuses on advancing racial and cultural justice and prioritizes projects where the lead artist identifies as a person of color, First Nation artists, artists with a disability, or trans artists. The deadline to apply was October 9th)

NDN Collective: $10 Million COVID-19 Response Project for Indigenous People (Grants for tribes, first nations, and Indigenous-led nonprofit organizations. Applications closed Sept 9, stay tuned for updates on future funding opportunities)

St David's $10 Million Recovery Fund to Support Nonprofits(Phase 2 applications closed Aug 13th, stay tuned for updates on future funding opportunities)

Texas Folk & Traditional Artist Relief Fund(Round 1 complete, stay tuned for updates on the possibility of future support)

 

(Updated 10/19/2021)

To Our Texas Folklife Friends, Supporters, and Family: 

 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and adherence to CDC and local health authority guidelines, we canceled all scheduled Texas Folklife to live events, performances, and gallery operations until further notice. This includes all 2020 Big Squeeze auditions and concerts. Although this is a difficult choice, our statewide community's health and well-being is our highest priority. The Big Squeeze and other programs are continuing in different formats, and we will update you very soon on this.

 

Additionally, the Texas Folklife physical office will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 17, and the team will be working remotely until further notice. You may leave us a voicemail and reach our team via email during this time. 

 

Each year, Texas Folklife works with diverse communities across Texas to celebrate the shared traditions that so inextricably unite us. As we navigate the uncertain days ahead, we believe that the folk and traditional arts and our collective cultural expression are more important than ever. Thus, we are currently exploring alternative strategies to support the creative community and offer programming to stay connected.

 

We will share updates as they arise via email, social media, and our website. Take care out there — of yourselves and each other. 

 

And, as always, we thank you for your support.