Money For Artists During Challenging Times

Artists have always been vulnerable to financial challenges, whether they are facing temporary losses or ongoing conditions that threaten their security. With the change of administration and planned cutbacks, the levels of fear and anxiety seem to be higher than ever. I hope this article “Money For Artists During Challenging Times”, which provides several funding resources and plans of action, helps artists in need realize there are safety nets and solutions to financial problems.

Originally written in March, 2017. Updated during COVID.

If you know of any additional funding sources  please add them in your comments below. Let’s help other artists who are facing difficulties. Please share this post with other artists.

Also read Funding Resources and Grants For Individual Artists.

Read Three Fellowships That Provide Funding For Visual Artists

Funding Resources

CERF+
CERF+, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, https://cerfplus.org/, is a leading nonprofit organization that uniquely focuses on “safeguarding artists’ livelihoods nationwide.” Its website is designed “to provide immediate, tangible support for artists at all stages of their careers – and serve as a platform for developing a strong Artists Safety Net through stories, resources and opportunities for partners.”

GoFundMe
Many artists have received funding for either emergencies or for art projects using GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com, one way to raise money if you have a large, generous community. After you create a campaign you accept donations, there are no deadlines or goal requirements. This resource offers money raising solutions: “No matter what form your art takes — from sculpture and ceramics to painting and photography — get the support you need to pursue your passion.”

Artists Fellowship
The Artists’ Fellowship, Inc. is a charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, printmakers, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement. The grants provide emergency aid to visual artists and their families, primarily in New York. The Artists’ Fellowship’s Board of Trustees and Officers all serve as volunteers in service to our community of artists. Assistance is given without expectation of repayment. If you are fortunate to not be in need of financial aid this organization should be on your giving list. By contributing to this 100% volunteer-run organization you are helping other artists in need. Visit the Artists Fellowship website: www.artistsfellowship.com/home.html

Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc.
This fund gives grants to feminist poets, fiction and nonfiction writers, visual artists, and those artists in a mixed-genre category (illustration and text). The amount ranges from $500 to $1,500. It offers two application deadlines each year: December 31 (Visual Art, Mixed Genre, and Fiction) and June 30 (Nonfiction and Poetry). Application materials are online in PDF form or by mail (send them a SASE.) For more information visit the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund’s website: https://demingfund.org

New York Foundation For The Arts
NYFA is a major nonprofit organization committed to supporting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds at all stages of their professional careers. In 2016, NYFA awarded 92 grants to 98 awardees with 5 collaborations totaling an amount of $647,000. The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships are awarded in 15 different disciplines over a three-year period and made “to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use.” These fellowships are intended “to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development.” Visit NYFA’s website: www.nyfa.org

The Clark Hulings Fund (CHF)
This organization helps professional visual artists compete in an increasingly complex marketplace “by providing them with strategic business support, training, and targeted financial assistance.” Its Business Accelerator Program offers customized training to visual artists. The artists who are chosen for the program receive a range of benefits. They receive free tuition to attend CHF’s year-long workshop course on the business of art. They are also eligibile for CHF’s grants. Visit the Clark Hulings Fund website:  www.clarkhulingsfund.org

The Vermont Studio Displacement Fund
The Displaced Artists Fund at the Vermont Studio Center (VSC) was established to support artists whose studio practices had been disrupted by California wildfires. It has since hosted artists directly affected by the events of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Tropical Storm Irene, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and superstorm Sandy. From 2017-2019, VSC will provide up to 20 displaced visual artists and writers with fully subsidized 4-6 week studio residencies along with necessary and appropriate travel support. Learn more.

$10,000 For Understanding Art in the South
The 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art awards $10,000 to an artist whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South. Presented annually, the prize recognizes the highest level of artistic achievement in any media. Artists from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted exclusively through this website from January to May each year. Learn more.

The Artists’ Health Alliance
Founded by artists this organization works in partnership with The Al & Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre, Toronto Western Hospital (Centre),  “to ensure the needs of the artistic community are being met, and is accomplished through ongoing communication with the arts community…” The Alliance is also responsible for management of the Joysanne Sidimus Fund, with funding available through the Centre, for artists of limited financial means. Learn more.

Haven Foundation
The mission of The Haven Foundation is to offer interim financial assistance to freelance professionals in the arts who face crises. The Foundation’s reach is the United States, and its awards are granted with a view to helping individuals overcome temporary adversity and return to full-time work. It provides financial assistance up to $10,000 to eligible artists. Grants can be renewed up to four more years, with a supplemental application. Learn more.

Three Fellowships For Artists
Fellowships give artists valuable financial means and other opportunities to advance their artistic development. They are essential programs devoted to rewarding artistic excellence. Although we often see the larger foundations getting the most publicity, there are lesser known fellowships that provide funding for visual artists. They include A.I.R. Gallery Fellowship Program, The Awesome Foundation, and The McNight Fellowships For Visual Artists. Read this article to learn more about them.

Articles That Offer Money-Making Solutions

Supplement Your Art Sales
Are you looking for new creative ways to supplement your your art sales without having to take a boring 9-5 job? There are many sources of income to consider. Throughout my career as an artist, I  sold other artists’ work, gave private art lessons, painted on apparel for a renowned designer, organized art exhibitions, and wrote art reviews for artists. I was determined to be self-supporting in a field I love. Read this article that offers a variety of different creative ways you can use to add more income. Read Creative Ways to Supplement Your Art Sales.

Organize A Fund-Raising Event
If you want to help or receive help, be imaginative and creative in the manner in which you raise awareness. Create a fundraising event. Read Ideas to Help You Create Successful Art Events.

Create An Art Business Plan
Before you approach any funding organization the first step is to create a business plan. Many of these providers will ask you to define your condition, needs, and your objectives, including what you plan to do with the money if they give it to you. Even if you aren’t in a situation where you’re applying for funding, if you want to have a profitable career as an artist, you must have a business plan, which includes a financial plan. Read How to Create Your Art Business Plan.

How I Helped Lisa Become A Full-Time Artist
When Lisa came to me for career advice she had one important goal she wanted to reach: To become a ful-ltime artist. In this article I explain a few of the powerful steps we took and how I helped her reach her goal in a few months time. Read How I Helped Lisa Become A Full-Tme Artist

Art Professionals Helping Each Other

It starts with us. To my delight I’ve seen art professionals reaching out to help each other. I’ve noticed a wave of positive responses to artists posting their needs on social media. I’ve read about places around the U.S. where artists donate their no longer needed art supplies to other artists through a kind of art supply thrift store. Whether we take small steps or major strides, we all can do something to help another in need.