Artist Emergency Fund

Artistik Approach at Artspace Lofts
photo: Alyssa Kelley

Artist Emergency Fund

ArtsMemphis, in partnership with Music Export Memphis, will provide another phase of Artist Emergency Funding.  Artists of all disciplines and employees laid off or furloughed by Memphis-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations after March 1, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, are eligible.

Available relief funds of up to $1000 per individual. 

 

The application is now open. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline basis until funds are depleted. The next deadline will be at 12pm (noon) on Friday, October 9, 2020. Relief fund payments are distributed on the 15th and 31st of each month until funds are depleted.
 
Read below for eligibility, guidelines and how to apply.

Looking for the other City of Memphis CARES Funding partners?

  • Click here for MIFA's Relief Program for utility assistance and rent or mortgage assistance.
  • Click here for Welcome to Memphis' relief fund for hospitality service employees who have been furloughed or laid off.

 

Information Session - Learn more about the Artist Emergency Fund application.

View our recorded information session here. 

To make sure you receive the latest information on grant opportunities for artists, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@ArtsMemphis) and subscribe to our newsletter by clicking the SUBSCRIBE button at the bottom of this page and select “Information for Artists” when registering.

Eligibility 

  • City of Memphis residents age 18 and older only.  Proof of residence must be provided with the application. 
  • Artists of all disciplines and employees laid off or furloughed by Memphis-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations after March 1, 2020 and before the date of application.
    • Specific proof of lost income is required with the application, such as tax returns, profit and loss statement, sales statements, contracts, signed letters from employers or proof of past employment at a nonprofit arts and culture organization.
    • Open to non-artist live music industry roles, including talent buyers/booking agents, managers, live event crew and other roles (not to include food and beverage roles).
  • This funding is intended to support individuals who receive a significant percentage of their income through their art or through arts sector employment.
  • Prior recipients of Artist Emergency Funds are eligible to reapply.
    • Priority consideration will be given to first-time applicants.

Artistic Disciplines Definitions

  • Craft – includes ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, and textiles, etc. 
  • Dance – includes dancers, choreographers, and teachers of all genres
  • Design Art – includes fashion, graphic, interior 
  • Folklife/Traditional Arts – includes storytelling, visual art, craft, and performance traditions informally learned and transmitted in contexts that are characteristic of ethnic, religious, linguistic, occupational, and/or religious groups.
  • Media and Film Art – includes film-making, animation, documentary, and work created using technology or experimental digital media, podcasts, virtual reality, and web-based projects
  • Museum Science or Humanities – includes the presentation, documentation, and/or record-keeping of items that are of artistic or cultural value
  • Music – includes composers, musicians, vocalists, and teachers of all genres
  • Theatre and Performance – includes actors, directors, playwrights, set and costume designers, lighting designers, and audio/visual operators who work in a theatrical or performance venue 
  • Visual Art – includes installation, painting, performance art, photography, sculpture, sound art, video, mixed media, etc.
  • Nonprofit Arts/Culture Employee - includes employees laid off or furloughed by Memphis-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations.
  • Music Industry Worker - Live music/music industry professionals who earn the majority of their income from the live music economy, including but not limited to sound engineers, stage crew, tour managers, instrument techs.

 

Para artistas en el Condado de Shelby que solo hablan español y necesitan ayuda de con la traducción de la aplicación, por favor enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected] con el siguiente título de mensaje: “Spanish translation help needed”. ArtsMemphis los conectara con un voluntario que les ayudara con la aplicación en español.

Request Process

  • Must apply via online application. No in-person applications will be accepted. 
  • Applicant’s without internet access can call ArtsMemphis' Artist Emergency Fund line (901) 341-0409 for assistance.
  • For application help, refer to our applicant grant tutorials here. 
  • Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • Proof of residence must be provided with the application. 
  • Proof of lost income is required.
 
Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline basis until funds are depleted. The next deadline will be at 12pm (noon) on Friday, October 9, 2020.

Review Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline basis until funds are depleted. The first deadline will be at 12pm (noon) on Friday, September 25, 2020. 

  • Funding decisions will be based on documented loss of income demonstrating a specific financial need, and funding availability.  
  • This is a competitive process as funding is limited.  Successful applications will include clear and specific evidence of your loss of income.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. 
  • Music Export Memphis will review all music-related applications. ArtsMemphis staff will review all other applications and rely on the expertise of our partners in various artistic disciplines as needed.

Funding Process

  • Applicants will receive e-mail notification of award decisions. 
  • Grant recipients will be asked to complete a secure document upload with banking information and a W9 form before funds will be distributed.
  • Funds will be transferred within ten business days of award decisions, provided all documentation required is received from the award recipient.
  • If applicant does not have a formal bank account, alternate arrangements can be made for payment.

 

Click here to be taken to the online application. 

 

If this is the first time you are using the ArtsMemphis Grant Platform, please visit our Grant Application Platform page for video and written tutorials on creating your account, applying for funding opportunities, understanding your applicant dashboard.

 

 

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact the Artist Emergency Fund Line at ArtsMemphis (901) 341-0409 or email [email protected].

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