Many artists will be experiencing uncertainty about their livelihoods due to the current Covid-19 pandemic - particularly those who are self-employed. We have been heartened to see the swift response from arts organisations keen to provide support.
We have collated resources from a range of organisations, to give you a one-stop-shop for support, advice and reassurance during this challenging period.
Organisations
Our friends at AN have shared information and guidance for artists and arts organisers.
Artquest have collated artist-led projects and resources including networks, financial support and visual artist networks.
The Creative Industries Federation are offering a free membership for six months. You can also sign their petition asking the government to create an emergency fund for freelancers during the pandemic.
Voluntary Arts are running #CreativeNetwork, a daily online chat for those working in arts and culture to speak through issues and make connections with other creatives.
Creative Boom have also launched a forum to bring the creative community together.
Arts Professional have launched a new, free series on their website Covid Culture, with tips on money management and looking after your mental health during the pandemic.
Disability-led organisation Shape have compiled a twitter thread of support for both disabled and non-disabled art workers, from information on funding through to creative prompts to complete whilst in isolation.
Disability Arts are offering free artist development sessions on developing and budgeting your projects as well as making connections with organisations.
Artist-led projects
Artists and creatives are curating an extensive online resource to help freelancers during the pandemic.
The artist Matthew Burrows has launched the Artist Support Pledge initiative. Artists post work they would like to sell on Instagram, and when they receive £1000 in sales they pledge to spend £200 to buy another artist’s work.
Artist-run project and studio Auto Italia have launched a UK Grant Writing Support Programme, an advisory service comprised of artists, curators and producers for UK artists filling in emergency grant writing applications. It will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis until 31 May 2020.
Grants and funding programmes
Arts Council England have launched a £20 million fund to compensate artists and organisations for lost earnings.
Established artists, apply for the Culture in Quarantine commissioning fund launched by BBC Arts, Arts Council England and The Space Arts.
ArtQuest have announced their WFH (Working From Home) Residency to pay artists who have had arts projects or other work cancelled, or have been made unemployed, as result of covid-19.
Disability Arts have pledged new commissions and funding to support disabled artists.
The arts charity Axis Web have announced a hardship fund available to their members.
The Eaton Fund provide financial assistance to working artists and art students.
Photographers, apply for Format's $25,000 global photography fund.
Fact Liverpool have released details of an online commissioning fund available for artists in the North of England.
a-n is offering bursaries of £500 - £1,500 to help support those whose livelihoods have been impacted by Coronavirus Covid-19.
The Freelands Foundation has partnered with a-n to launch the Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund, a landmark commitment of £3m towards emergency funds for artists and freelance creative practitioners across the UK affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
We will continue to update this page as and when we receive new resources.
You can also follow our thread on twitter for regular updates.
Image: Cathy de Monchaux, 2019