COVID-19 Artist Resources

Tools for Bay Area artists grappling with the repercussions of the pandemic.

Intersection for the Arts recognizes the immense burden COVID-19 places on artists and their livelihoods. We also recognize that the arts sector is innovative and resilient and that together we will find a way through these times. Intersection provides the following resources to help artists navigate this moment:

Emergency Money

Actors Fund Entertainment Assistance Program

Funds available to union and non-union workers in entertainment and the performing arts.

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Artists' Fellowship Financial Aid

Relief and assistance to qualified applicants who are dealing with immediate medical emergencies.

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Arts Loan Fund

Loan can cover any emergency need identified by the borrower to help the organization stay solvent until Federal/State/County restrictions on social gatherings are lifted and events and programming can be resumed.

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ASJA Writers Emergency Assistance Fund

Funds available to writers who cannot work because they are currently ill or caring for someone who is ill.

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Authors League Fund

Help for writers experiencing income loss due to COVID-19.

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The Blues Foundation HART Fund

For blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns.

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California Jazz Foundation

Financial assistance for jazz musicians.

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CERF+ Emergency Relief Fund

Artists who have suffered from a recent, career threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire or natural disaster, can apply for funding.

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Dramatists Guild Foundation

Providing emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.

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Foundation for Contemporary Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund

For those seeking relief for a canceled performance or exhibition.

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Musicians Foundation

Gives grants for medical and allied living expenses in emergencies.

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PEN America Writers' Emergency Fund

Providing small grants for professional—published or produced—writers in acute or unexpected financial crisis.

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Sweet Relief COVID-19 Relief Fund

Funds available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised will go towards medical expenses, lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses to those impacted due to sickness or loss of work.

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UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund

Qualifications for the UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund include financial assistance for freelance, hourly, and wage working artists vulnerable to the economic standstill. Funds of $250 per member of household will be distributed by the &Art& team in an effort to support the security and protection of artists who, in “normal times,” hold part-time or contract work to prioritize their art practice.

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Take Action

Americans for the Arts Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers

This survey gathers information that is crucial to telling the story of creative workers and making sure that you are supported during this ongoing crisis and the eventual recovery.

TAKE SURVEY

Volunteer for East Oakland Collective COVID-19 Response

In light of COVID-19, East Oakland Collective has had to adjust normal food and supply distribution programs. They are currently resourcing food and supplies and using our office at 7800 MacArthur Blvd. as a resource and distribution hub.

INTAKE FORM

Volunteer for East Bay Mutual Aid

East Bay Mutual Aid is essential for addressing people’s immediate needs. They are compiling a list of volunteers so people can be contacted as asks arise during the COVID-19 quarantine. 

INTAKE FORM

Tools

Bay Area Support

Reports

Working Differently Post-Pandemic: A Report on Bay Area Artist Space Needs in 2021

A survey of nearly 500 Bay Area artists, art administrators, and arts educators to explore reopening during the pandemic, potential to collaborate and share space, increase organizational capacity and resilience, and work differently post-pandemic. 

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Arts Incubators, Entrepreneurial Activity, and Digital Inequality in the COVID-19 Age: A Digital Divide Report

The aim of this report is to assist arts organizations to assess how the digital divide affects the artists they serve and to provide a tool to do so in the form of an interactive map.

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Meet Joshua Walters, founder of Mad One Media, a fiscally sponsored member of Intersection for the Arts, and participant in our new Artist in Residence program. Mad One Media is an audio magazine that highlights stories of mental health experience. In addition to leading his podcast, Walters also coaches artists and provides workshops around creating a sustainable artistic practice.Join Joshua for his event "OPP: Other People's Poetry" an ongoing poetry series April 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 1-3 pm at Intersection for the Arts. Participants are welcome to read poetry accompanied by a live piano. More information: www.eventbrite.com/e/opp-other-peoples-poetry-tickets-572036395257?aff=ebdsoporgprofile ... See MoreSee Less
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Last Call 📢 Yesenia Sanchez leads "Grant Journey Series: Budget Beyond the Basics" this Wednesday, March 29. Learn the about values-based budgeting and financial planning, the life stages of an arts organization, and more. Happening: Wed, March 29, 10 am - 12 pm via Zoom. Sign up: bit.ly/3vBDoei ... See MoreSee Less
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We are delighted to welcome our latest fiscally sponsored member Sarah Matsui.Sarah Matsui is a Taiwanese and Japanese American writer who grew up in Honolulu and now lives in San Francisco. Her solo show ‘Hello, Boar—You Must Be Hungry’ is a Taiwanese and Japanese American coming-of-age story, written by Matsui and developed with David Ford.Sarah's latest writing was selected as the winner of the 2021 Sewanee Review Nonfiction Contest judged by Stephanie Danler and a winner of the 2022 Fractured Lit Contest judged by Deesha Philyaw. We can't wait to see what Sarah creates next! Learn more about her: sarahkmatsui.com ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @joshuawalters, founder of #MadOneMedia & participant in our new AIR program. Join him for "OPP: Other People's Poetry" an ongoing poetry series April 2, 9, 16 & 23; 1-3 pm at Intersection. Come read poetry accompanied by a live piano. http://bit.ly/3LVEF9u

Last Call 📢 Yesenia Sanchez leads "Grant Journey Series: Budget Beyond the Basics" this Wednesday, Mar 29. Learn the about values-based budgeting and financial planning, the life stages of an arts organization, and more. Sign up: http://bit.ly/3vBDoei

Meet our new fiscally sponsored member Sarah Matsui, a Taiwanese & Japanese American writer who grew up in Honolulu and now lives in SF. Her solo show ‘Hello, Boar—You Must Be Hungry’ is a Taiwanese + Japanese American coming-of-age story. Learn more: http://sarahkmatsui.com