Focusing on individual artists and creative workers, this is the first of two parts in the City of Seattle’s Arts Recovery Package. The second part focuses on arts and cultural organizations. Learn more about the whole Arts Recovery Package, including organizational support.
For Individual Artists and Creative Workers
Please note the Seattle Relief Fund is currently on pause. If you are an artist in need of funds, there is a waiting list you can join here.
The Seattle Relief Fund is aimed at helping those in the greater Seattle arts community who have been financially impacted by cancellations due to COVID-19. Depending on funding levels and amount of requests, priority may be given to artists from communities that have been historically and systemically economically disadvantaged in the Seattle Area: BIPOC artists, transgender & nonbinary artists, and disabled artists – but they will try to help as many artists with need in Seattle as they can.
Seattle Relief Fund was started by Ijeoma Oluo, a Seattle-based artist, after several of her speaking events got canceled, she decided to start this fundraiser to help artists in Seattle whose events are also being canceled and are in need of relief. LANGSTON is providing administrative support and is part of the oversight committee for the funds.
Artist Trust’s COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund provides rapid response grants supporting the critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19. These unrestricted cash grants are intended to support working artists with:
- Lost wages and earnings;
- Loss from event, performance, and conference cancellations and school / community-based education closures
- Reimbursement for travel loss
- Rent and mortgage payments, food, utilities, and other living expenses
- Medical expenses
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and selected weekly. Grants range from $500-5K based on artists’ needs.
Eligibility
- Individual artists living in Washington State (companies, curators, nonprofits, organizations, community groups, ensembles, producers, & collectives are not eligible)
- 18 years of age or older
Christine Anderson says
Where will these applications be for the Arts Stabilization Fund? I am with an organization with a building run by a small corporation which provides rental space for a variety of dance and music organizations. Our rental income has been decimated and we have a very tight budget. Anything would help keep above the red line! Thank you, Christine
Arts Stabilization Fund: The City will also invest $1 million in arts and cultural organizations through the new Arts Stabilization Fund. The focus of the funding will be on arts and cultural organizations that have been impacted by the moratorium on events and public gatherings. These organizations rely on ticket sales, attendance and fundraising efforts. The recent and necessary actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from State of Washington and Public Health – Seattle & King County have greatly impacted the arts and culture sector. Funds will be distributed through the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s grant programs.
Ben Smith says
This is a sorely needed program for financial relief for artists and performers in the Seattle area. I have many friends who, like myself, have lost all performance bookings through the spring. Lots of venues, promoters and agents are booking way out to be safe, and so our income has dropped to zero.
I’m so grateful there’s a place artists can turn to for the possibility of support. Thank you very much!!
Ben Smith
Meredith berlin says
THANK YOU for the information and support.
marguerite says
I’m confused your eligibility requirements on this page states this fund is WA artists but the application says Seattle artists only. Which is true? I feel all WA artists should be supported.
Evan says
Can you please provide the link for applications to the Artist Trust COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund?
The artistic community thanks you for your work on their behalf during this trying time!
Otts Bolisay says
Hi Evan, Artist Trust just went live with the link this morning. We’ve updated the blog post with it.
Otts Bolisay says
Hi Marguerite, sorry for the confusion. There’s a lot of information and updates coming out at a fast pace. It’s probably best for you to check the requirements for each option directly to get the most accurate information. We’ve just updated this post with a link to Artist Trust’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Rhonda Guilford says
I just applied for a friend who is a blind musician but when I hit submit I got an error message. I tried to retake the survey for her but it wouldn’t let me, it said I’d already taken the survey.
How can I make sure she is included in the aid request? She really could use the financial help right now.
Thanks so much for helping the artists!
Arthur Brown says
Hello! I fully respect the importance of and support prioritizing needs of marginalized and oppressed groups first. Should I, a white artist, look to some of the other options for financial support before applying here?
Madeline Beery says
Bravo, Office of Arts & Culture!
You have acted so promptly to a serious need by arts organizations & individual artists. Excellent work in support of the arts in Seattle. You play a key role in why the art community is so vibrant here. Thank you.
Wendy A Ceccherelli says
Please include information for those of us who would like to send private donations to these funds
Ned Mueller says
I am discouraged to see that many of the comments and vital questions are not be answered on this website…could someone knowledgable please reply to these questions and part of your public service responsability. Thank you.
KT Niehoff says
I am an individual artist living in Seattle in need of relief funding. I went to the “apply button” and it said “I already took the survey” –
I am confused.
I thought it was an application, not a survey – please explain.
I didn’t take a survey – how can I apply for this?
I appreciate all you are doing. It is also hard to understand how to access this funding and we are going down fast….Please help.
Jim Wulff says
Could you confirm the email address provided at the end of the application process? Thank you for your support. Any other follow up contact information would be appreciated. My application has been completed and reviewed.
Binh nguyen says
I have tried to reach out to the Langston as well to the team member of the fund. Wanted to get an idea or update on if we would be awarded any support. I had a Bunch of blank shirts and inks ready to screen print for a pop up store event i had Planned.. wanted to donate or volunteer but got no reply.. hope all is doing well.
christina Darragh says
I have tried to apply for this relief assistance but the link says the application process is closed. Please let me know another way to apply for this as I am in dire need of assistance.
Thank you,
Christina Darragh
Ellen Smith says
I am an artist that makes most of my living as a contracted scenario actor. All of my gig have been canceled due to the Covid 19 outbreak. And since I am a 1099 “employee”, I was denied unemployment. I was hoping to apply for relief through the Artist Fund, however, they link that takes me to the Survey Monkey site says the survey is currently closed. Is this a temporary problem? Let me know when I can check back and reapply.
Stay Healthy and Well and Creative!
Yesi Merino says
Thank you for sharing this information!