A series of wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles during the past week, claiming more than 12,000 structures and two dozen lives. Numerous artists and arts workers across the region are devastated by the loss of homes and studios—even entire careers’ worth of work. As fires continue and Los Angeles residents begin to comprehend the scale of the disaster, support for those affected is urgently needed.
Whether you’re seeking assistance or would like to learn how you can help, we’ve compiled a list of resources to get you started. Many of these link to further spreadsheets and donation sites, managed by both organizations and individuals, which receive updates on a regular basis as new opportunities emerge.
Relief Funding and Grants
Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Grant
Painters, printmakers, and sculptors who have maintained a practice for a decade or longer may receive a one-time grant of up to $15,000 in assistance in light of a catastrophic event. Typical grants range from $5,000 to $7,000.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
$3,000 emergency relief grants are available for individual craft artists using traditional or folk materials and who have public-facing practices, who have recently experienced a disruptive emergency or disaster.
Artists’ Fellowship One-Time Emergency Aid
Need-based financial assistance is available to professional visual artists and their families or dependents in the event of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or unexpected extreme hardship. The fellowship notes that professional artists “make their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. Federal tax return” and that a demonstrated exhibition history is ideal.
Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grants for Artists
These grants provide need-based funding to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical, or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography, and a category called “film/video/electronic/digital arts.” Applicants cannot have earned more than $75,000 average gross income for their last two tax filings, or $150,000 for joint filers. Application closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
Urgent grants are available for visual and performing artists who have sudden and unanticipated opportunities to exhibit or present with insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. Grants range from $500 to $3,000.
Fundraisers
Help LA’s Artists and Art Workers Start Over on GoFundMe
Organized by Ariel Pittman, senior director of Various Small Fires, along with a team of volunteers, this GoFundMe aims to raise $500,000 to support the L.A. arts community.
Hashimoto Contemporary Los Angeles Fire Relief Fundraiser
More than twenty artists have donated original works and limited edition prints as prizes for the drawing. Each entry will qualify you for a chance to win one work. Entries close at 12:00 a.m. PT on January 15. Winners will be drawn at 12:00 p.m. PT on January 16, during a live event on Hashimoto Contemporary’s Instagram Stories. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to a 501(c)3 assisting with community support. Purchase tickets.
Fire Fundraisers List
This running list compiles active GoFundMe campaigns and other ways to support individuals who have been affected by the fires.
Anat Egbi Poster Sale to Support Alex Egan
Egan is one of many who lost his home and studio. The artist was in the final days of completing works for his forthcoming solo show with Anat Egbi, set to open at the end of January. All of the works were burned in the fire. 100% of proceeds from the poster sale support the artist.
Further resources
Hyperallergic
A running list of resources to help artists impacted by the fires, including mutual aid like art supply donations, storage, donation campaigns, and general relief funding.
Artsy
A list of resources and ways to support artists and art workers in L.A., including mutual aid, regional and federal relief aid, and fundraisers for both individuals and the community.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
General resources to support those affected by the fires, including temporary housing, where to donate, access to food, health and medical, animal evacuation, and more.
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