Donate to the Relief Fund Here:
https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/texasfolkartrelief

Texas is currently the epicenter of a coronavirus surge as artists continue to struggle to make ends meet. In response to the substantial economic and social impact of the ongoing pandemic, a group of Texas folk and traditional arts organizations have come together to help offset the immediate and ongoing needs of the Texas Folk and Traditional Arts community at large. 

For these artists, practitioners and organizations, this situation is especially acute because their work is significantly dependent on social interactions. The precarity of the situation for those reliant on support from community and public events, as well as revenue from art sales, worsens as gatherings remain closed for the foreseeable future. In addition, several factors might impact them more adversely than the artist community at large: Traditional artists are spread out throughout the state in remote areas and not necessarily clustered around urban areas, nor affiliated with supporting organizations, making them harder to reach and serve. The digital divide that we are aware of means some artists might lack the technological access to leverage communications in these tough times. 

This fund will support artists from marginalized and at-risk communities that may not be in line for assistance by other Covid-19 relief funds. We appreciate your generosity in direct support of an artist who is experiencing economic hardship.

Application Information:

Artists or nominators can fill out the application form here:
https://forms.gle/tYSHeqx8LQXhUueh6

A group of Folk and Traditional Art organizations, with the support of Texas Folklife, will award grants of $500 to community-based folk and traditional artists impacted by COVID-19. Grants are a one-time award made to individuals to assist with their financial well-being. The panel will be intentional in the distribution of awards, striving to reach those most in need.

To be eligible for this $500.00 one-time grant, the following conditions need to apply:
1. You must currently live in Texas.
2. You must identify as a traditional or folk artist (see below) and be currently active as a traditional artist.
3. You must indicate a financial need.

Folk and traditional artists are those artists who are practicing an art form that is held by a shared community of people - with community defined by ethnicity, occupation, region, gender, place of origin, religion, etc. Learning in this community is accomplished by one-on-one interaction through a long period of instruction between master/teacher and student, or through a more formal apprenticeship. Formal learning through classroom instruction is not the usual form of instruction for folk and traditional art forms. Often the art or skill is passed from older generation to younger generation, or through a peer network.

We are accepting applications in English and Spanish. If you would prefer a phone call to complete this application, please call 512-441-9255 or email info@texasfolklife.org and indicate if you would like to be contacted in a language other than English.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel comprised of people working in the field of folk and traditional arts. Applications must be received by August 14, 2020 and awards will be distributed no later than September 1, 2020. All decisions are final and applicants not selected in the first round of grants may qualify for a future cycle of funding. Texas Folklife will unfortunately not be able to fund all applications but hopes to raise money to fund subsequent rounds of grants. If you are able, please share and support our fundraiser https://charity.gofundme.com/texasfolkartrelief