Although B/S P is growing, we are part-time employers, and are concerned about the health and well-being of our dancers, as many of their projects and side jobs are canceled, leaving them with little to no income. Some small businesses and arts non-profit organizations will struggle to sustain living wages while they themselves are unable to accrue income from which to pay employees. Especially when engagements are canceled, even if rescheduled, they may come at a higher overall cost to reproduce later, and not all costs will be recuperated as initially budgeted. As Congress works to provide relief for Americans, we are uncertain of how that may or may not impact artists, freelancers, and other workers who depend on hourly pay, project fees, and in-person interactions. We encourage anyone who is able, to consider donating to organizations that will help to provide relief for those who are, or will soon be, in need. Help keep #dancersabovewater
We have also created this document with information and resources for dancers who are struggling or who are looking for real-time information as the current health situation evolves. We also will be diligently investigating ways to continue supporting our B/S P family while we are not actively operating in the studio or generating revenue. If you are interested in contributing in any form be it links/resources, guidance, services, or otherwise, please reach out to us at info@barkinselissenproject.org. We will continue to update and share as much information with our community as we can.
Relief Resources for Dancers
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, dancers as independent workers, performing arts organizations dependent on gathering groups together, and creative people engaged in travel and exchange may be especially affected. As always, and at this time especially, B/S P is committed to creating, amplifying, and sharing resources to support dancers and the dance community. In the spirit of support, we have put together a vetted list of resources for dancers in need. This is NOT a resource for artists of all disciplines. While there are some resources listed below that are multidisciplinary, we have specifically created this with dancers and dance companies in mind. Thank you for your understanding and for any comments or additions you may have. – The B/S P Family
General Information/Resources:
Communicate with the Government: Support Dance/USA’s online campaign for Congress, or communicate with your local representatives.
We encourage you to fill out the DANCE/NYC Coronavirus Impact Survey
We also encourage you to fill out the New Yorkers for Culture & Arts survey
ACCESSHRA
Information and resources for rent freeze, food stamps, health benefits, and more
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
A list specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.
Finding a Job – Employing Artists Facebook group
Get Food NYC
Use this map to find a location near your home delivering food for free
Gibney Dance’s Resource List for Engagement, Advocacy and Support
National Coalition for Arts Preparedness & Emergency Response
NYC Well
Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
Skip the Drive
Find Remote and Work-from-Home Jobs
Unemployment: For New York State residents, file here
Funding Opportunities:
Actors Fund of America
The Actors Fund assists those working in theater, film, television, radio, music, dance, opera and circus. The Fund offers a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services, health care services, employment and training, and housing. Programs are administered through offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, and eligibility varies by program. Telephone: (212) 221-7300 Email: info@actorsfund.org
The Actors Fund – Dancers Resources
Information from the Actors Fund specifically geared towards dancers.
AGMA Emergency Relief Fund
Any AGMA member in good standing is entitled and encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund. Grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis, based on need.
Artist and Activist Relief Fund
This fund, created by the Soze Foundation, taskforce and invisible hand, will support artists and activists whose work has been impacted by Covid-19. We will be making $250-$750 grants to selected applications on an on-going basis. We currently have $50,000 total for this first round of grants.
Artist Community Relief Fund
Abrons Arts Center and Henry Street Settlement have announced an Artist Community Relief Fund to support artists and arts workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will disburse $250 to 40 artists and arts workers who live in the following zip codes: 10002, 10009, 10013.
Artist Relief’s second grant cycle is now open, closing on MAY 21st.
Artist Relief is an initiative organized by the Academy of American Poets, Artadia, Creative Capital,Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Fund, National YoungArts Foundation, and United States Artists. Due to a high volume of submissions, they strongly recommend that you draft your responses in a separate word processing program and paste it into the application to have a saved copy in the event that you need to reapply.
Artist Relief Project
Any artist in any discipline who has been impacted by COVID19-related cancellations and closures may apply for assistance. Stipends and support will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the only limitation being how much money we are able to raise.The only requirements are (1) you demonstrate you’re an artist by sharing your resume and website, where applicable, and (2) you share this fundraiser with your own networks and provide a screenshot of that activity.
Artist Tree collects donations from those with the means to help. They intend to use the money to support artists – particularly freelance artists. The aim is to be the bridge which ensures that AS MANY ARTISTS AS POSSIBLE receive at least a little bit of help. They are offering a one-off, first-come-first-served $250 “solidarity donation” for artists who apply
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
The Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund is intended to help those pursuing careers as artists or arts administrators whose income has been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is for those who self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). The fund will disburse funds in the amount of US $200 per person, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Broadway Cares Emergency COVID-19 Fund
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund will help entertainment professionals meet coronavirus-related expenses and other challenges brought about by the evolving pandemic.
Brooklyn Community Foundation
The Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis for immediate response grants of up to $10,000 in certain priority areas.
CERF+ Emergency Assistance
Have you or an artist you know experienced a recent, career threatening emergency, such as an illness, accident, fire or natural disaster? CERF+ emergency assistance includes grants and/or brokered assistance, such as booth fee waivers and discounts or donations on supplies and equipment.
The Creator Fund
The fund is 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. They will ask for a receipt or invoice before sending the funds via Paypal.
Dance/NYC Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund
Dance/NYC invites metropolitan New York City area freelance dance workers and dance making organizations to submit applications for awards through the Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund. The purpose of the funding initiative is to mitigate the growing impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on individual freelance dance workers and dance making organizations based in the metropolitan New York City area, particularly financial losses incurred due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and the social restriction measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus. The Fund will prioritize supporting communities most impacted by COVID-19 including African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA), disabled, immigrant, and women-identifying artists, as well as those at high risk including elderly and immunosuppressed artists.
The Dancers’ Fund
The Dancers’ Fund provides short-term financial assistance to Chicago dance professionals in times of critical health need. [Telephone: (312) 922-5812, Email: info@chicagodancersunited.org]
Dancers’ Resource
The Dancers’ Resource was created in response to the unique situation dancers face due to the physically demanding nature of their work, coupled with the significant financial challenges of earning a living in dance. Support includes counseling, healthcare referrals, educational seminars, emergency financial assistance, and more. Telephone: Eastern Region : (212) 221-7300, Ext. 119; Central Region: (312) 372-0989, Western Region: (323) 933-9244, Ext. 455. Email: Eastern Region: cdrury@actorsfund.org; Central Region: shaught@actorsfund.org; Western Region: intakela@actorsfund.org
Foundation for Contemporary Artists Emergency Grants
FCA’s mission is to encourage, sponsor, and promote work of a contemporary, experimental nature. Emergency Grants provide urgent funding for visual and performing artists. Grants range in amount from $500 to $2,500, and the average grant is now $1,600.
Freelancers Relief Fund
Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs, including: food/food supplies, utility payments, and cash assistance to cover income loss. 100% of all donations will be distributed directly to freelancers in need. Applications for funding will open on April 2, 2020.
The Haven Foundation
The Haven Foundation gives financial assistance to provide temporary support needed to safeguard and sustain the careers of established freelance artists, writers, and other members of the arts and art production communities who have suffered disabilities or experienced a career-threatening illness, accident, natural disaster or personal catastrophe. Contact
Interest Free Loan
The Hebrew Free Loan Society Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan Program provides interest-free loans of $2,000-$5,000 to residents of New York City’s five boroughs, Westchester, or Long Island who are facing financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus outbreak. All low- or moderate-income New Yorkers are eligible, regardless of credit history. Loans require one guarantor.
Lost My Gig NYC
The events industry in NYC, which is largely fueled by freelancers, has experienced a sudden, massive financial fallout due to the current Coronavirus crisis. With bans on gatherings larger than 500 people and venues closing at a rapid rate citywide, the countless independent contractors in NYC whose livelihoods rely on events have undergone the most immediate and crippling impact due to the sweeping cancellations. Lost My Gig NYC is creating a platform for those with means to donate to these struggling freelance workers.
Max’s Kansas City Project
Funding for New York Residents. The non-profit welcomes applications throughout the year to professionals in the creative arts. There are no deadlines. Funding is determined according to the individual’s need and is disbursed in the form of a grant not to exceed $1000. Funding will be based on a sliding scale according to each individual’s specific case. All applications are reviewed and given consideration according to the most critical situations and urgency.
The National Endowment for the Arts continues to operate as usual and will do so until a new budget is enacted by Congress. The Arts Endowment continues to make grant awards and will continue to honor all obligated grant funds made to date. Additionally, the agency will continue to accept grant applications at our usual deadlines.
This Fund will offer urgent relief to freelance dance artists that have suffered financial losses due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and the government enforced social restrictions. Funds will be distributed in increments of up to $500 and will not exceed $1000. The form to apply for funds is Coming Soon!
PGH Artists Emergency Fund
Rauschenberg Emergency Grants
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is proud to partner with the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation to administer a new emergency grant program called Rauschenberg Emergency Grants.The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. If you aren’t sure if your artistic discipline fits within these guidelines, please contact the grants administrator.
The City will provide relief for small businesses across the City seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit. The City is also offering small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months (an average of $6,000) to help retain employees. Eligible owners who would like to learn more about these programs should call 311 for assistance.
Springboard for the Arts Personal Emergency Fund
The Fund supplies monies to help cover unexpected expenses directly resulting from a catastrophic, career-threatening event such as theft, fire, flood and health emergency. Emergencies must have taken place within 6 months of the application date.The intent of the Emergency Relief Fund is not to supplement income due to unemployment or underemployment. However, artists may apply to cover lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. commissions, performances, contracts) due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Wellness Resources:
Some helpful curated pages of resource lists:
Stress and Coping Information from the CDC
Coronavirus Resources from the LA Times
Other resources:
Free Public Support Group to Manage COVID-19 Related Anxiety
Gibney Cares Podcast
The ‘Gibney Cares’ podcast features Gibney Company Director, Amy Miller sharing the mindfulness-centered ‘Take Care Card’ series during this uncertain time of shifting due to COVID-19
Online Movement Classes
We have created a curated list of online movement classes that will be updated weekly
Online therapy with a licensed therapist
Free 60 minute coaching session to provide support in the processing of anxiety and fear, getting clear on personal circumstances, exploring employment opportunities in the short and long term, anything else that is top of mind.