Artist Emergency Fund

 

Artist Emergency Fund

ArtsMemphis, in partnership with Music Export Memphis, through the Artist Emergency Fund has provided more than $487,000 in COVID-19 relief funding to over 640 Memphis and Shelby County artists from April to October 2020.  This funding was made possible by the City of Memphis CARES Act funds, the Kresge Foundation, the Assisi Foundation, the Hyde Family Foundation, and other generous donors.

The Artist Emergency Fund will reopen on September 27, 2021.

 

Timeline

  • Opens: Monday, September 27, 2021
  • Deadline: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 5pm
  • Subsequent applications will be reviewed every two weeks until funds run out.

 

Eligibility 

  • Greater Memphis Area residents age 18 and older only.  Proof of residence must be provided with the application.
    • Proof of residence may be a driver’s license, recent utility bill, lease agreement or similar documentation noting your name and address.
    • Greater Memphis Area is defined as within the following counties: Crittenden-AR, Desoto-MS, and Fayette, Shelby and Tipton in Tennessee
    • Applicants must provide documentation or proof that their artistic income is/was generated within Shelby County.
  • Artists of all disciplines who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic after March 1, 2020 and before the date of application.
    • Proof of lost income is required with the application.
  • This funding is intended to support individuals who receive a significant percentage of their income through their art or through arts sector employment as an artist.
  • Recipients of Artist Emergency Funds in 2020 are eligible to apply.

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
  • 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.

Review Process

  • Applications will be reviewed after the October 15th at 5:00pm deadline. Funding will be given until the funds are depleted.
  • Funds for music applicants will be administered by Music Export Memphis.
  • Funding decisions will be based on documented loss of income demonstrating a specific financial need, and funding availability. 
    • Proof of income loss documents may include tax returns, profit and loss statement, sales statements, contracts, signed communication from employers.
  • 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.
  • Artistic work must be proven through resume, website, social media or other documentation.
  • Our goal is for minimally 50% of relief fund recipients to be artists of color.

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, arrangements for payment will be made.

Application

  • Must apply via online application available at ArtsMemphis.org. This application will be available on September 27, 2021.
  • Applicants without internet access can call (901) 682-4701 for assistance.
  • Please contact ArtsMemphis if Spanish translation is needed.
    • 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.
  • For application help, refer to our applicant grant tutorials here.
  • Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • To view a pdf copy of the application, please click here. 

 

Timeline

  • Opens: Monday, September 27, 2021
  • Deadline: Friday, October 15, 2021 at 5pm
  • Subsequent applications will be reviewed every two weeks until funds run out.

Contact

 

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.

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact the Artist Emergency Fund Line at ArtsMemphis (901) 682-4701 or email [email protected].

One Gift Helps 80 Arts Groups and Artists

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