Updated on Aug. 19 to reflect current opportunities:

Grants for artists and arts organizations

Earlier post:

Alaska artists have until Tuesday, June 30, to apply for a $1,500 grant through a partnership intended to help individuals whose livelihoods have been disrupted by COVID-19. Those experiencing a dire financial emergency related to the pandemic can apply for an Alaska Arts and Culture Emergency Relief Grant here. The application period opened June 10.

A panel of artists and art experts from across Alaska are reviewing applications. Two rounds of awards are expected, with 65 artists receiving help per cycle. The relief comes through a coalition of Alaska State Council on the Arts, Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation, Atwood Foundation and Rasmuson Foundation.

Artists are among the hardest hit workers in America with the closure of theaters, galleries and museums. Many gig workers also work part-time in the restaurant/entertainment sector, also closed down for months, and as adjunct professors — the first to be laid off in tough financial times. Few have retirement savings, and many are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

Those eligible must be:

  • A practicing artist able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to an artistic career, making work, and generating dialogue with a public audience;
  • Experiencing dire financial emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • 21 years of age or older;
  • Able to provide a W9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if selected;
  • A recipient of an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend in 2019; and
  • Living and working in the U.S. for the last two years.

Full-time employees, board members, directors, officers, or immediate family members of any of the coalition partners are not eligible.