Guidelines for Financial Aid
The Artists' Fellowship financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of emergency, disability or bereavement. Assistance is given without expectation of repayment. While we try to help as many artists as we can, filing an application does not guarantee that you will receive aid.
Please read the following guidelines carefully.
Who is eligible to apply?
Professional fine artists and their families in times of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or other serious emergency.
Practicing artists with a long career will be given preference, but artists at all stages of their career are welcome to apply.
Applicants must be currently resident in the United States and its territories.
What do you mean by a “practicing” artist?
Some of the criteria that we consider are:
Formal education as an artist.
An active exhibition and/or publication history.
Grants, awards and residencies from established sources.
Serious critical response to the work.
Art commissions and sales as documented by income reported on a Schedule C of a U.S. Federal tax return.
Most importantly, we look for evidence of an ongoing commitment to producing visual art over time.
What kind of “fine artist” is eligible to apply?
Artists working in sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, fine art photography, fine art ceramics, mixed media, performance art, and installation will be considered. Artists whose work is primarily shaped by or made for the market are unlikely to be given aid.
Who is NOT eligible to apply?
Those working in the performing arts (dancers, musicians, actors), the literary arts (writers, poets), make-up artists, fashion designers, graphic designers, filmmakers and commercial photographers are not eligible for aid. Hobbyists and other creators of art with no record of professional activity or income as documented by a Schedule C from a U.S. federal tax return are also not eligible for aid.
What qualifies as a “serious” emergency?
A recent, unexpected hardship, such as a natural disaster or a medical/dental condition, or the consequences of certain accidents, causing personal injury or property damage. General indebtedness or lack of employment is not considered a serious emergency.
What paperwork do I need to apply?
You will need to upload:
A letter explaining your serious emergency and your request for aid.
A professional CV / resume.
Documentation to substantiate your emergency situation.
Documentation to support the amount of aid you have requested.
Your two most recent federal tax returns, including Schedule C.
An official ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Please note the we are unable to consider incomplete applications.
What if I don’t file taxes?
All applicants are required to submit two complete recent federal tax returns. If you are not required by the IRS to pay taxes, please indicate this in the letter explaining your request.
What if I don’t have a Schedule C?
Please explain the reason in your letter.
What should I include in my letter?
Your letter should explain:
The nature of your emergency situation, including dates.
Your financial situation and how you are making ends meet.
How the emergency has impacted you and your family, including how it has affected your ability to continue working as an artist.
The total amount of aid you are requesting and a breakdown of this amount, so that the individual items add up to the total. You will be asked to provide documentation for each item requested (see below).
Please keep your letter concise—it should be no longer than two pages.
How much money can I apply for?
Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. The average award is $2,500. Applications requesting more than $20,000 will not be considered.
What documentation do I need to provide to substantiate my emergency?
Documentation to substantiate your emergency might include photos of damaged property, medical records, a death certificate or funeral bill, etc.
What documentation do I need to provide relating to the amount of aid I have requested?
You will need to provide documentation for each item for which you are requesting aid. Here are some examples:
If you are asking for help to pay debt, you will need to provide evidence of that debt, such as a credit card statement or past-due bill.
If you are asking for funds to purchase equipment lost in a natural disaster, you should submit an invoice, quote, or screenshot from the vendor.
Each separate item for which you are requesting aid must be supported by documentation.
Will AF help me pay for my rent or other living expenses?
Yes, but only if your inability to pay these bills was caused by the emergency situation, such as illness or a natural disaster. As noted above, you will need to submit copies of rental agreements, bills, statements or other documentation to support your request.
Will the AF help me fund my education or offer me a scholarship?
No
Will the AF help me fund my art exhibition?
No
Will the AF help me fund my art residency or travel expenses?
No
Will AF help me pay for my art supplies?
No
What if I know I will be in a difficult situation in a few months?
The “need” must be current and documented, not anticipated.
Is there a deadline?
There is no deadline: applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Board of Trustees meets monthly from September through June to review applications. The Board does not meet in July and August.
How and when will I learn the outcome of my application?
All applicants will be contacted by email as soon as the Board has made a determination. You should expect a response within two months of submitting your application - if you have not heard from us after two months, please write to us at info@artistsfellowship.org.
Can I re-apply if I did receive aid previously?
You may re-apply if you are experiencing a new and different emergency. Long term or ongoing support is not provided.
Can I re-apply if I did NOT receive aid previously?
You may re-apply if you are experiencing a new and different emergency.
What if I can’t fill out an application online or have a question?
Contact the office at info@artistsfellowship.org.
How do I apply?
Please make sure you’ve read through this information carefully before applying. You can access the application via the button below.