The Artists' Fellowship Emergency Financial Aid
The Artists' Fellowship, Inc.
Apply for emergency financial aid with a letter explaining your serious emergency, professional CV, tax returns, and documentation substantiating your emergency and requested amount.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- rolling, apply anytime
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $2,500
About
Overview
The Artists' Fellowship provides emergency financial assistance to professional visual artists and their families without expectation of repayment in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or other serious emergency.
Who is Eligible
Professional fine artists currently resident in the United States and its territories with documented practicing status. Practicing artists with long careers are preferred but artists at all career stages are welcome to apply. Artists in sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, fine art photography, fine art ceramics, mixed media, performance art, and installation are considered.
Who is NOT Eligible
Those working in performing arts (dancers, musicians, actors), literary arts (writers, poets), make-up artists, fashion designers, graphic designers, filmmakers, and commercial photographers. Hobbyists and creators with no record of professional activity or income documented by Schedule C are not eligible.
What Qualifies as a Serious Emergency
A recent, unexpected hardship such as a natural disaster or medical/dental condition, or consequences of accidents causing personal injury or property damage. General indebtedness or lack of employment is not considered a serious emergency.
Required Documents
- A letter explaining your serious emergency and request for aid (no longer than two pages)
- Professional CV/resume
- Documentation to substantiate your emergency situation (e.g., photos, medical records, death certificate, funeral bill)
- Documentation to support the amount of aid you have requested
- Your two most recent federal tax returns, including Schedule C
- An official ID such as a driver's license or passport
What to Include in Your Letter
Explain the nature of your emergency including dates, your financial situation and how you are making ends meet, how the emergency has impacted you and your family including effects on your ability to continue working as an artist, and the total amount of aid requested with a breakdown so items add up to the total.
Award Amount
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The average award is $2,500. Applications requesting more than $20,000 will not be considered.
Key Dates & Process
There is no deadline; applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Board of Trustees meets monthly from September through June to review applications (does not meet in July and August). All applicants will be contacted by email as soon as the Board has made a determination. You should expect a response within two months of submitting your application.
- Award
- Average award is $2,500; maximum request $20,000
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- Financial assistance for professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability, bereavement, natural disaster, or other serious hardship.
- Eligibility
- Professional fine artists currently resident in the United States and its territories with documented practicing status; artists at all career stages eligible but long-career practicing artists preferred.
- Priority given to
- Long career (practicing artists with long careers preferred)
- Audience
- Professional fine artists currently resident in the United States and its territories; artists at all career stages eligible but practicing artists with long careers preferred.
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.