ARTIST RELIEF FUND

 a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization 

1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 111,

Duluth MN 55811

800-568-8134 or 218-722-0952

Fax 218-722-4459

Email info@artistrelieffund.org

website: ArtistReliefFund.org

"Over the past two years, the board of Directors of the Artist Relief Fund has worked to develop an emergency grant program for regional artists working in all disciplines. The Board's efforts have been aided by scores of artists, organizations and businesses in the region, along with the support and guidance of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.

The Board of the Artist Relief Fund is pleased to announce that the Grant Program is now a reality and applications are now being accepted. With hopes that artists never need this resource, the reality is that unseen emergencies cause a need for assistance.

Information and updates will be available soon on the Artist Relief Fund website. Upcoming events to raise funds and awareness will include an art exhibition and sale at Pizza Luce in December, and an upcoming benefit concert by the Big Time Jazz Orchestra.

Board of Directors: Deb Cooter, Bob DeArmond, Jill E Hall, Margaret Holmes, Adrian Lester, Cecilia Lieder, Liz Minette, Erika Mock, Chris Osgood, Peter Spooner, John Steffl.

Program Information 

Mission:

The Artist Relief Fund exists to assist artist and cultural workers in times of need, by raising, administering and distributing emergency financial support and by providing information about other resources available to them in times of hardship.

Statement of Purpose:

Meant to heal an individual artist pick up the pieces from an emergency and expedite recovery, the Artist Relief Fund aid artists in continuing their work. Specifically, the purpose of the Artist Relief Fund is to meet the emergency needs of artists in northeastern Minnesotan and northwestern Wisconsin who find themselves, due to unexpected and career-threatening loss of income, in immediate need of financial assistance. Typical types of emergencies are health issues, fire, theft, and natural disasters. By raising, administering and distributing emergency financial support, and by providing information about other career crisis resources, the Artist Relief Fund exists to assist artists during urgent situations.

Inception:

In 2005, the sale of artworks, chapbooks, and benefit performances donated by artists living in Minnesota and Wisconsin along with donations from the public and private sectors, fueled the creation of the Artists Relief Fund.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Artist Relief Fund serves artists working all art disciplines who consider their involvement in their art to be professional. Applicants must have resided in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake or St. Louis Counties in Minnesota, or in Douglas or Bayfield counties in Wisconsin, for a least one year prior to submitting an application. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and consider their work in the arts professional. Applications are typically from individuals who demonstrate a commitment of seven (7) years or more to their work. After receiving an Artist Relief Fund grant, a two (2) year waiting period is typically required before submitting another request. An application may be filled out and submitted by a third party.

Access:

The Artist Relief Fund is designed to respond to immediate needs. Application forms may be requested by telephone, fax or mail. Available to artists with career-threatening emergencies, grant amounts typically range between $500 and $1,500. In an endeavor to respond as  quickly as possible, grant determinations are made on a monthly basis as funding permits. Grant request are intended to address a one-time emergency need and are not meant to replace regular or "day-job" income. Grant payments are typically written either directly to the artist or to a third party as befits a given situation.

Administration:

The Artist Relief Fund administers applications with very effort made to maintain applicant confidentiality. However, a signed application indicates acceptance that the applicants name, application information and final report will be made available to Artist Relief Fund auditing and financial sources upon their request. A designated Board member will review all applications prior to consideration by the Grant Review Panel, which consists of Artist Relief Fund board members. The Artist Relief Board treasurer will disburse checks at the board's discretion.

Medical Assistance, Social Security, IRS:

Before applying to the Artist Relief Fund, artists currently receiving or seeking Medical Assistance and/or Social Security Disability support are encouraged to contact appropriate county, state and/or federal agencies to ensure that receiving Artist Relief Fund support will not jeopardize their assistance status. Federal tax law requires that awards of $600 or more be reported to the IRS; consequently, financial support from the Artist Relief Fund must be reported as income. Grant recipients will receive a Form 1099 from the Artist Relief Fund.

Development/Fundraising:

Since the Artist Relief Fund is a resource that continually needs to be replenish, its Board of Directors welcomes charitable contributions from individuals, business and foundations. Donors are eligible to receive tax benefits as allowed by law. For tax purposes, the Artist Relief Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, provides charitable contribution forms to donors. The Artist Relief Fund also seeks contributions in the form of grants, bequests and corporate support.