In the wake of COVID-19, it’s difficult to not be overcome by fears of not being able to pay bills, not having a job to come back to, not being able to educate children staying at home, not being able to secure food, etc. We currently exist in a cancel culture with gigs being postponed left and right.
Social distancing adds another level of stress; though while we may not be able to physically lean on each other, we can support one another. Here is a list of all the things we can do from resources for the independent artist community to digital art shows, petitions to ways to cope. This will be updated regularly.
Share Your Story
We want to hear how you’re coping and finding ways to pivot your business to stay afloat. Please send your stories or any recommendations to hello@roguehabits.com.
COVID-19 Freelance Artists Resource Guide
This is an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
Organized by a group of artists, this is an ongoing list of relief funds to help support the creative community.
Emergency Funds and Grants + Closures Affecting the Artist Community
Be the Artist Book created a page with resources categorized by visual artists, writers and authors, photographers, musicians, performers, film and video, and more.
Annuity.org, a free web finance resource, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, has created a COVID-19 Financial Guide in light of the effects of COVID-19 on freelancers, self employed individuals, families, and small businesses.
Patreon is hosting a telethon-style livestream to raise money to help offset the economic impact on artists, musicians, creators and more who have been impacted by cancelations worldwide hosted by Patreon co-founder and CEO Jack Conte. It will take place Wednesday, March 18 at 4pm PT.
Those who are interested in helping creators can donate and find more information at the event page here.
The Safety Net Fund is a non-profit designed to help support artists in the Bay Area during the COVID-19 crisis. The group prioritizes artists that typically make their living offline at events and retail establishments that have been cancelled or closed due to coronavirus. The fund will offer grants to artists, with no expectation of repayment, to help provide direct monetary support through this crisis.
Head West #ConquerCorona Resources
Jimmy Brower of Head West Market has a comprehensive list of resources organized by federal, state, and local levels, as well as a handful of other helpful links including to grants and loans.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries.
Petition: Immediate Aid to Local Businesses
Prem Kumta, founder of Flavor Group and Up All Night, created a petition that would allow San Francisco to offer 0% loans, up $100k, to businesses. Click through to sign the petition.
Bay Area Musician’s Relief Fund
This is a fundraiser to support the Musicians Union Local 6 Emergency Relief Fund. All proceeds will be iven over to Local 6 for the support of their members.
Socially Distant Artist Resources
Young Space put together a Google Sheets hub for current virtual exhibition spaces, open calls, fundraisers, educator and student resources.
I Care If You Listen has organized a round-up of as many emergency funding sources and additional resources for artists.
Photoshelter blog has an ongoing list of articles and resources for the photo community.
She Shreds compiled a list of resources for musicians and live music professionals, as well as ways fans can support artists.
California Arts Council Survey
The California Arts Council is surveying the arts field at-large to gather data on the potential financial impacts of this public health emergency.
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