Ultimate List Of Financial Resources For Actors Impacted By COVID-19

The suspension of performances across the country due to COVID-19 is already taking a massive financial toll on actors. By shuttering productions, economic lifelines have been cut for those who spend their lives creating.

To make ends meet, out-of-work actors must now turn to unemployment, financial assistance, other sources of income.

Here are a few resources that can help.

Financial Assistance For Actors Impacted By COVID-19

Actors’ Equity Emergency Curtain Up Fund: On March 24th, Equity announced the launch of the Actors’ Equity Emergency Curtain Up Fund, and issued a grant to The Actors Fund to provide support for members at risk due to work cancellations resulting from COVID-19. Actors’ Equity is contributing $500,000 to launch the fund and will match another $250,000 of contributions from other donors, dollar for dollar.

The Actors Fund Emergency Financial Assistance : Emergency financial assistance is available for people who are unable to pay their basic living expenses (food/housing/health care) over the next two months

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund: Provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need.

Artist Relief: A coalition of national arts grant makers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States during the COVID-19 crisis.

Artist Relief Tree: A relief fund for artists affected by cancellations due to COVID-19. Disbursements are currently on hold while the organization seeks more funds, but you may join a waitlist.

The Creator Fund: Providing financial assistance to active creators who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. If you have medical, childcare, housing, or grocery needs, please apply for assistance.

SAG-AFTRA COVID-19 Disaster Fund: The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, along with the Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund, have created the COVID-19 Disaster Fund to aid SAG-AFTRA members impacted by COVID-19. 

Site-Specific Resources and Relief

Arts Greensboro Emergency Relief Fund (Greensboro, NC): For any artist in need of support due to cancellations from the outbreak of COVID-19. This fund is a money-in, money-out fund. ArtsGreensboro will disperse funds weekly, based on the amount donated. This fund is directed to working artists, not organizations or nonprofits.

ArtsMemphis Artist Emergency Fund (Memphis, TN): ArtsMemphis has established an Artist Emergency Fund to help self-employed artists of all arts disciplines (visual art, literary arts, film, dance, music, theater) and artists employed/contracted by nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Shelby County recover from lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or opportunities (such as a commission, performance, contract, etc.), or due to layoff or furlough due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Boston Artist Relief Fund (Boston): Grants of $500 & $1,000 to individual artists who live in Boston whose creative practices & incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19.

Cape Cod Arts Relief Fund (Cape Cod, MA): The fund will provide up to $500 per applicant to support full- or part-time professional artists who have lost income used to sustain their creative practice due to the COVID-19 crisis. To be eligible, artists must live, work, create, and/or perform on Cape Cod, MA.

Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund (Chicago): Developed by the League of Chicago Theatres and The Saints, this fund is intended to help Chicago area theater professionals replace lost income due to theater closures.

Dallas Artist Relief Fund (Dallas, TX): Provides support for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Dallas.

Denver Actors Fund Emergency Artist Relief (DEAR) (Denver, CO): The Denver Actors Fund’s new DEAR Fund will be distributed in one-time, $250 stipends for artists impacted by COVID-19. Applicants must have resided in Colorado for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to applying for DEAR Funds.

Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (Atlanta, GA): United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 Contact Center is helping address the negative impacts of the coronavirus in the communities. Call if you need assistance and check the website if you are able to donate to the fund.

LA City COVID-19 Resources (LA): List of resources for individuals impacted in Los Angeles.

City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) - Arts Emergency Relief Fund (LA): Provides emergency relief grants to City of Los Angeles-based dance, music, and theatre artists, as well as small ensembles who have had their public performances, shows, or concerts cancelled.

NYC COVID-19 Resources (NYC): List of resources for individuals impacted in New York City.

NYC Low-Income Artist/Freelancer Relief Fund (NYC): Provides support for low-income, BIPOC, trans/GNC/NB/Queer artists and freelancers whose livelihoods are being effected by this pandemic in NYC. Click here also if you'd like to donate to the fund.

Taking Care COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund (Washington): Grants to Washington-area theater professionals who face financial hardship from immediate closings, postponed productions, and other lost wages.

Spokane Artists and Creatives Fund (Spokane, Washington): Emergency grants available for artists living in Spokane, Washington.

CCI San Francisco Arts & Artists Relief Fund (San Francisco) An emergency relief fund to mitigate COVID-19 related financial losses that artists and small to mid-size arts and culture organizations have suffered.

Other Resources

10 Sites For Actors Searching For Remote Work: Helpful sites and newsletters for actors currently out-of-work and in need of additional streams of income.

Actors Federal Credit Union: The Actors Federal Credit Union continues to offer services to actors affected by COVID-19, including low interest loans, deals through Turbo Tax and more.

COVID-19 Freelance Artists Resources: An aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA): Offers a list of emergency relief resources.  

Moonlighting.com - A leading freelance & work-from-home job site is offering free job searching and access to its business tools to help independent workers better manage jobs and gigs.

A Guide to COVID-19 and Your Finances: What You Need to Know (Annuity) - Free resource tor those looking for more information about the economic impact, small business help, federal benefits, etc.

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This list is not comprehensive; we are adding resources as we become aware of them.

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