Wildfire Relief Resources For L.A. Artists
Creative Capital is deeply saddened by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles that have been among the most devastating in the city’s history. Our hearts go out to our many Creative Capital Awardees, industry professionals, friends, supporters, and artists who have been affected by the fires.
We have compiled a list of some of the organizations and efforts that are helping artists based in L.A. as they recover from this tragic disaster. If there are any resources you would like us to share, please email us at [email protected] with the subject “LA Wildfire Resources.”
The L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund has launched with $12 million and is continuing to grow in response to the severe need. To join the coalition and partner in this initiative, please visit the fund’s website. Beginning Monday, January 20, 2025, artists and arts workers in all disciplines can apply here for an emergency grant.
Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Grant
Painters, printmakers, and sculptors who have maintained a practice for a decade or longer may receive a one-time grant of up to $15,000 in assistance in light of a catastrophic event. Grants range from $5,000 to $7,000.
This fellowship provides financial assistance to visual artists and their families experiencing an unexpected emergency situation, natural disaster, disability, bereavement, or extreme hardship. The aid is open to active visual artists who can demonstrate that their livelihood is funded through the sale of artworks, including painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, installation, photography, and mixed-media.
Arts&Rec Upstate New York Artist Residency
The Western Catskills-based recreational arts organization Arts&Rec has decided to open its multi-person artist residency in Stamford, New York, to affected artists from Los Angeles county. The residency can accommodate four parties (individual artists, couples, or small families) and typically lasts one month, with duration negotiable. Stipends for travel and materials and studio space are available. Reach out to [email protected] for details.
This 1 million dollar fund is designed to assist ASCAP composer and songwriter members in the Los Angeles area who have suffered loss or damage to their primary residence or studio, or been evacuated from their homes as a result of the LA fires.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
$3,000 emergency relief grants are available for individual craft artists using traditional or folk materials and who have public-facing practices, who have recently experienced a disruptive emergency or disaster.
Dramatists Guild Crisis Relief Grant
Playwrights and librettists in need of financial aid due to the impact of the wildfires in Eaton Canyon, Pacific Palisades, and the greater Los Angeles area are eligible to apply.Crisis Relief Grants are available to support housing and utilities costs, medical bills, groceries, legal fees, and other essential expenses.
Entertainment Community Fund Emergency Financial Assistance
This program is offering monetary assistance to performing artists and entertainment industry workers who have documented income within theater, film, television, music, radio and dance for the most recent six consecutive years. The organization will work with California-based applicants who don’t have access to the required documents to fulfill their application.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
Urgent grants are available for visual and performing artists who have sudden and unanticipated opportunities to exhibit or present with insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. Grants range from $500 to $3,000.
Grief and Hope GoFundMe: Fire Recovery for the L.A. Art World
A mutual aid fund launched on GoFundMe by artists and art workers with the initial goal of raising $500,000, these funds will be distributed to artists and art workers who have experienced full loss or severe damage to their home, studio, or crucial personal property. Individuals in need of assistance should fill out this form. Those who are able to offer mutual aid can fill out this form.
L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund
Opens: January 20, 2025
Led by a coalition of foundations, arts organizations, and individuals, this fund will support the arts community impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
MusiCares is providing short-term disaster relief to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, including $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card, to music professionals impacted. MusiCares is also able to provide additional support for individuals with considerable impact, including medical issues, mental health support, damaged music equipment or longer-term relocation needs.
Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grants for Artists
Deadline: February 20, 2025
These grants provide need-based funding to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical, or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography, and a category called “film/video/electronic/digital arts.” Applicants cannot have earned more than $75,000 average gross income for their last two tax filings, or $150,000 for joint filers.
Sound Royalties Wildfire Relief Program
Deadline: March 31, 2025
The Wildfire Relief Program is open to music creators and royalty rights holders, including songwriters, artists, producers, and others in the industry. They encourage those who may qualify to apply and make use of the program’s no-cost, no-fee terms to help recover from the ongoing challenges caused by the wildfires.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
This program is designed to provide urgent financial assistance to SAG-AFTRA members who have been affected by a natural disaster. Currently, SAG-AFTRA is prioritizing Disaster Relief for members whose residences and/or vehicles have been destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires.
We Are Moving the Needle Microgrants Wildfire Relief Fund
This fund is designed to support early and mid-career producers, engineers, and creators who have lost studio space or gear in the wildfires.
Other Resource Lists
NCAPER — National Coalition for Arts Preparedness
Grantmakers in the Arts
More Online Resources
Every month, Creative Capital compiles a list of residencies, grant, and award opportunities as part of our commitment to sharing resources and opportunities for artists working in all creative disciplines. These opportunities have deadlines in March and April 2025.