Economic Challenges Facing Artists and Arts Organizations
"To assist the field with aspects of the economic crisis, we have assembled informational links to agencies and organizations that could offset some costs or assist in other ways with day to day essentials. I trust this is useful and exhibits the concern the Maine Arts Commission has for the wellbeing of the field."
-Donna McNeil, Director, Maine Arts Commission
The Recovery Act recognizes that the non-profit arts industry is an important sector of the economy. The National Endowment for the Arts, Maine Arts Commission and New England Foundation for the Arts are uniquely positioned to fund arts projects and activities that preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.
2-1-1 Maine, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) whose mission is to connect anyone in Maine who wants to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community.
One number – thousands of services. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember number that connects people who want to give help or get help with a full range of health and human services in their community.
- 2-1-1 includes a statewide-directory of over 5000 resources including agency services and support groups accessible through this website to anyone with internet capability.
- The 2-1-1 Call Center is now accessible statewide and from cell phones and phone service provided by internet carriers.
- 2-1-1 will provide emergency operations during times of natural and other disasters, include accurate and timely information for preparations, and longer term referral for follow-up services if required.
- 2-1-1 will provide valuable information for community planning and for future matching of resource development and unmet needs.
For 2-1-1 assistance, please go to 211maine.org or call toll free 877-463-6207. The toll free line is staffed 24 hours a day by the 2-1-1 Call Specialists to provide the same services that you can get online at 211maine.org.
Information on Governor Baldacci's energy initiatives, tips, resources and links to assistance programs.
Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine's environment. Efficiency Maine is funded by electricity consumers and administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
CERF emergency relief assistance includes small grants, no-interest loans, access to resources, waivers and discounts on booth fees, and donations of craft supplies and equipment.
The Foundation makes economic relief grants to individuals who are distressed or suffering as a result of poverty, low income or lack of financial resources. Proposals will be considered by the Foundation’s selection committee, which meets quarterly.
The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone – on stage and those behind the scenes – who works in entertainment and performing arts. As a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition, The Actors Fund provides comprehensive social services including counseling, crisis intervention and connections to local resources for personal, family or work related problems as well as emergency financial assistance for basic living necessities.
Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative designed to provide planning assistance and consulting to struggling arts organizations throughout the United States. Open to non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations, the program will provide counsel from Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser and the Kennedy Center executive staff in the areas of fundraising, building more effective Boards of Trustees, budgeting, marketing, technology, and other areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy.
AFTRA members of at least two years' standing may be eligible for grants for living expenses.
Change, Inc.
Emergency grants for artists in all disciplines needing help with rent, medical expenses, utility bills, fire damage, etc. Grants up to $1,000. Change, Inc., PO Box 54, Captiva, FL 33924 or phone 212/473-3742.
Carnegie Fund for Authors
Emergency assistance to needy writers who have commercially published at least one book of reasonable length which as received reader acceptance. Carnegie Fund for Authors, 1 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY 11514.
The Directors Guild of America provides confidential loans to members who are facing short term financial hardship.
The Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund provides emergency financial assistance to SAG members east of the Mississippi struggling with a financial, personal or medical crisis. The MPPWF can be used for rent, utilities, mental health, medical care, and other basic living expenses. In the New York tri-state area, the fund is administered by The Actors Fund; contact The Actors Fund for more information. All others should contact their local SAG branch office.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America provides an anonymous safely net to men and women in the radio and television broadcast profession in cases of critical illness or crisis.
The Musicians' Emergency Fund offers aid to elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis.
The Fund provides grants for assistance to R&B recording artists formerly affiliated with Universal Music Group and any of its labels, to ensure that artists in need have access to financial resources for health, welfare and medical needs.
The Musicians Foundation helps professional musicians by providing emergency financial assistance in meeting current living, medical and allied expenses.
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
The Authors League Fund helps professional writers and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income or other misfortune. The Fund gives open-ended, interest-free, no-strings-attached loans. These loans are not grants or scholarships meant to subsidize personal writing projects. It should be kept in mind that the Fund's resources come from other professional writers.
The PEN Writers’ Fund is an emergency fund for professional—published or produced—writers in acute, emergency financial crisis. Depending on the situation, the Fund gives grants of up to $2,000. The maximum amount is given only under especially dire circumstances and when monies are available.
A listing of national and regional emergency grants available to writers in acute financial crisis. Please contact the organizations directly for more details. Self-published authors or those published by vanity presses are generally not eligible. We hope this is helpful.
The Artists' Fellowship, Inc. is a private, charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement. The Artists' Fellowship's Board of Trustees and Officers all serve as volunteers in service to our community of artists. Assistance is given without expectation of repayment. One does not need to be a Member of the Fellowship to receive assistance; neither does membership in the Artists' Fellowship entitle one to assistance from the foundation.
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation‘s dual criteria for grants are recognizable artistic merit and demonstrable financial need, whether professional, personal or both. The Foundation‘s mission is to aid, internationally, those individuals who have worked as professional artists over a significant period of time.
SOS helps singers who have financial needs resulting from personal, family, or medical crises. Charitable grants may be provided for basic needs including rent, utilities, medical/dental expenses, substance abuse rehab, psychotherapy and HIV/AIDS treatment. Grants are always paid directly to creditors. SOS is unable to provide assistance for credit card debts, tax debts, loans, voice lessons, demos, head-shots and other music projects.
Efficiency Maine
Mayer Foundation
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Financial Assistance
Screen Actors Guild Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund
Broadcasters' Foundation
Musicians Foundation
MusiCares Foundation
PEN American Center - Additional Emergency Fund Links 
Society of Singers