This FAQ has been updated on June 24, 2021.

Who was eligible to apply?

Practicing artists living in all 50 states, Tribal Nations, and territories including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were able to apply. Applicants had to be 18 or older, able to receive taxable income in the United States regardless of their citizenship status, and have generally lived and worked in the United States for the last two years.

Which disciplines were eligible for this grant?

• Craft (ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metals, textiles, etc.)

• Dance (dancers, choreographers; aerial, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, etc.)

• Design (fashion, graphic, industrial, object, all forms of architecture, etc.)

• Film (animation, documentary, episodic, experimental, narrative, etc.)

• Media (work at the intersection of technology, aesthetics, storytelling, and digital cultures, etc.)

• Music (composers, musicians; classical, contemporary, experimental, folk, instrumental, jazz, pop, world, etc.)

• Theater & Performance (directing, experimental, live action, playwriting, puppetry, tactical and site performance, etc.)

• Traditional Arts (work related to the continuity and evolution of a tradition and/or cultural heritage such as cultural dance, cultural music, oral expression, and traditional crafts, etc.)

• Visual Art (installation, painting, performance art, photography, sculpture, sound art, video, etc.)

• Writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, literature for children, criticism, graphic novels, journalism, arts writing, etc.)

How did you define ”dire financial emergencies“?

Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we defined ”dire financial emergencies“ as the lack or imminent endangerment of essentials such as housing, medicine, childcare, and food. Applicants needed to demonstrate a pressing and critical need for emergency support in order to receive funding. Application and survey data showed that practicing artists from diverse backgrounds and regions are experiencing tremendous economic hardship. 

I applied and was not selected for funding, why?

We appreciate you taking the time to apply. Unfortunately, due to limited funds and the volume of applications, not every applicant was able to be funded. Artist Relief was able to fund 4,682 artists. We received close to 170,000 applications and we were able to fund about 2.5% of applicants.

How were applications selected for funding?

Due to the volume of applications and our commitment to funding equity among artists of different disciplines, geographic locations, and backgrounds, applications were reviewed on a week-by-week basis by Artist Relief Coalition Partners and representatives from collaborating cultural organizations across the country. After review, qualifying applications were selected via a lottery process for each week of the fund. Artists who did not receive funding were invited to re-apply each month.

Why are you collecting demographic data from applicants? Who has access to this data?

We are committed to equity and inclusion and view data as an essential tool to be accountable to this commitment. This information was collected for tracking and reporting purposes and did not affect eligibility or selection. As an applicant, your data was viewed by coalition staff and our partner organizations who will be engaging us during the review process. Individual applicant data (including name) will not be shared, duplicated, or distributed publicly. Additionally, aggregated applicant data will be collected, summarized, and shared in reports to funders and/or the public, without disclosing any personal information. To read our privacy policy in its entirety, please click here.

Who did receive an Artist Relief grant? Is there a list of grantees?

To protect the privacy of those selected for emergency relief during these sensitive times, Artist Relief has not published a list of grant recipients. However, we are pleased to share detailed statistics representing how these funds were distributed. 

We were able to fund just over 2.5% of the 165,000+ applications received. Of the 4,682 artists supported by Artist Relief: 23% identify as Black or African-American; 21% as White or Caucasian; 12% as Latinx; 7% as Asian, South Asian, or Southeast Asian; 9% as Biracial or Multiracial; 7% identify as Native American, Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian; 7% as Native or Indigenous; 3% as Arab or Middle Eastern, 2% as Other; and 6% preferred not to answer. By gender expression, 45% of artists identify as Women; 33% as Men; and 19% as Nonbinary, Other, or did not respond. 22% of Artist Relief grantees identify as Transgender; 37% identify as LGBTQIA+, and 23% identify as Disabled. Artist Relief worked to reach artists outside of urban areas; 22% of grantees live in suburban communities and 15% live in rural areas.

What security measures were in place for the information I’m providing in this application?

Submittable, the application platform, operates with above-industry-standard security certificates and features for data collection and storage.

If I’m awarded a grant, will my name be made public?

No. Personal information will never be disclosed or publicized.

If I receive a grant, will there be reporting requirements?

No grant reporting will be necessary.

Is the grant taxable?

All recipients will be asked for their Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for internal processing purposes, but 1099s will not be issued for this COVID-19-related grant. However, we cannot advise on individual tax matters. Please consult your personal financial manager or tax accountant.

Who administered the fund?

United States Artists will be distributing the funds and collecting your financial and U.S. tax information. Please note that United States Artists will not retain sensitive information (e.g. SSN or ITIN) beyond the time frame required by their auditors and for their tax reporting obligations at the end of the year.

What security measures are in place for the information I’m providing to United States Artists for grant disbursement?

United States Artists’ uses a primary payment processing platform called Tipalti that uses bank-level security, firewalls, and encryption.

What can I use the funding for?

This fund is intended to help artists experiencing dire financial emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, all grants are unrestricted and can be used for any kind of emergency relief. You do not need to reveal how you spend the money. 

I did not receive a grant, what other resources can you provide?

On our website, you will find additional COVID-19 related resources that we have compiled, you can view this on our website at artistrelief.org/resources. Additionally, our coalition partner, Creative Capital is continuing to update and provide a comprehensive list of alternative funds for artists and additional resources for artists. Visit creativecaptial.org/online-resources for more information.

Can I donate to Artist Relief?

We are no longer accepting donations to Artist Relief.

The Artist Relief coalition is deeply grateful to the dozens of national, artist-endowed and family foundations, field partners, and companies, and thousands of donations from individuals that came together to invest in artists whose personal and professional lives were severely impacted by COVID-19. For a list of major Artist Relief’s funding partners please visit, artistrelief.org/partners.

How can I add a resource to the listing?

If you have a resource to add, please fill out this form so Artist Relief coalition partner Creative Capital can add it to the list.