COVID-19 Relief Funds and Business Support
NYSCA recognizes the challenges our cultural sector is facing, and we are devoted to helping you access the support you need. We will regularly update our listings of relief funds for organizations and individuals, small business and nonprofit loan programs, and legal assistance.
Funds for Individual Artists and Arts Professionals
Small Business and Non-Profit Loans
Legal and Financial Assistance
Funds for Individuals
Artist Relief is an emergency initiative organized by the Academy of American Poets, Artadia, Creative Capital, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Fund, National YoungArts Foundation, and United States Artists to distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.
Up to $1,000 is available for arts professionals with a demonstrated need for medical aid, legal aid, or housing.
The program will provide visual and media artists and choreographers with one-time grants of up to $5,000 for medical emergencies.
These grants support experienced painters, printmakers, and sculptors facing catastrophic events. Awards are up to $15,000 and typically $5,000.
The Foundation will disburse one-time $2,000 grants to artists who have had performances or exhibitions canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.
DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness. Requests typically range from $500 to $3,000.
Artists and administrators identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) are eligible for $200 grants on a first-come-first-served basis.
Individual artists from Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties suffering financial losses due to canceled events and projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for $100 Visa Gift Cards and the opportunity to sell their artwork on the Albany Barn’s website, and/or be a part of Collectiveffort’s TV live stream.
This fund is designed to support artists of color who engage with Digital Media technologies within their art-making processes. Five recipients will each receive a $1,000 support grant to complete their submitted project. Applicants must be residents of NYC. Deadline: January 11, 2021.
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read supports organizations across the country in partnership with Arts Midwest. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 will be awarded to assist with NEA Big Read projects. Deadline to apply is January 27, 2020.
The U.S. S.B.A. provides information about loans and business development and guidance for employers, including the Paycheck Protection Program.
NYC's S.B.S. page has an employee retention grant program, zero interest loan information, and guidance and FAQs for business owners.
The NFF is providing no-interest loans ranging from $100,000 to $3M to NYC nonprofits supporting arts and culture, essential healthcare, food delivery, homeless services, workforce development, and more.
New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) supports New York State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19 outbreak and NYS on PAUSE.
Advance NYC is offering informal pro bono office hours to cover a wide variety of topics. Sessions usually take place the first Friday of each month and offer the opportunity to submit questions and chat.
NYCON provides free PPP and EIDL consulting and webinars on funding resources and sustainability. NYSCA grantees are also given free membership to NYCON that includes access to one-on-one consultations and services.
Visit Lawyers Alliance for up-to-date legal information, guidance on topics such as contracts and board relations, and resources for non-profits.
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts NY provides free or low-fee legal services to protect and educate individuals and arts organizations across the state.
Artistic entities with annual operating budgets under $125,000 can now access pro bono financial assistance. Entities with budget sizes over $125,000 will also have access to the program at significantly subsidized rates.