AS OF 5/25/2020, THE ARTIST RELIEF FUND HAS SUSPENDED DISTRIBUTIONS. All eligible applications have been funded and all funds have been exhausted. We will continue to accept applications in case more funds become available, but we cannot make any guarantees. To date, ArtsConnect has distributed more than $15,000 to eligible artists in Topeka.

The ArtsConnect Artist Relief Fund has been established to help working artists in Topeka recover from lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or opportunities (such as a commission, performance, contract, etc.), layoff or furlough due to COVID-19 precautionary measures or other emergencies. The ArtsConnect Artist Relief Fund can pay up to $500 to any one individual.

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INFO & GUIDELINES

APPLICATION & ELIGIBILITY

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE. In order to assist with the completion of the application, we have created a printable version of the application.

Who can apply?

  • Artists of all disciplines whose economic livelihood depends on income generated through the production or creation of art.

  • Employees of nonprofit organizations working in the disciplines of public art, dance, theater, music, media, literature, and visual arts.

  • Employees of locally-owned arts-based businesses who have been laid off or furloughed.*

*To be considered to be an “arts business,” the business from which the applicant was laid off or furloughed must generate a majority of their income as a business from art-related sales.

Applicants should demonstrate one or more of the following:

  • Loss of income (e.g., wages, gigs, ticket/art/book sales, clients, etc.)

  • Loss of opportunity (e.g. cancellation of a fellowship, residency, performance, screening, reading, exhibition, etc.)

  • Unexpected expenses directly resulting from a catastrophic, career-threatening event such as theft, fire, flood or health emergency.

  • Urgency and impact of funding (how much impact will the funds have)

A note about equity in the selection process. We ask for demographic information in the application. This information will be used to help prioritize funding in the following ways:

  • We will take into consideration the needs of those affected by ongoing systemic inequities, which means we will prioritize applications from artists of color, members of the disability community, and those who identify as LGBTQUIA.

  • Applicants who reside in the highest need areas of Topeka will be prioritized based on residential address.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • For first-round funding, applications must be submitted by Noon on May 15th in order to be considered for the first disbursement on May 18th.

  • Applications will be accepted and kept under consideration until all funds have been disbursed.

  • Our goal is to make this process expedient and equitable.

  • The application should not take applicants longer than 30 minutes to complete.

  • A volunteer panel will review and score all applications.

  • Subsequent rounds will take place weekly and will be pending available funds.

  • Applications not funded in the first round will be considered in subsequent rounds – applicants do not need to resubmit their applications.

  • The application must be completed and submitted online. The application is available via the Formstack platform and is easily completed on a mobile device or tablet.

FUNDING

We will begin the process with at least $5,000 to disburse on May 18th and an additional $5,000 on May 25th. This funding will come from a combination of ArtsConnect operating funds and funds raised from other sources. ArtsConnect will be working to raise additional funds. If you are interested in contributing to the fund, please contact Sarah at sarah@artstopeka.org or click here to donate online.

FINE PRINT

  • An individual is eligible to receive a total of up to $500 in funding.

  • Applications that are not funded immediately will remain under consideration.

  • Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and are subject to approval and available funds.

A special thank you to Springboard for the Arts in Minnesota and 4culture.org in King County, Washington. To build this program, we have relied heavily on their programs and we are grateful to them for their leadership in the field.