A group of Arizona arts funders and service organizations announced in late April that they will provide $171,830 in emergency relief grants to 235 artists across the state, but applications are now closed and the chances for them to reopen are slim.
“Money is spread pretty thin right now,” said Steve Wilcox, communications director at Arizona Commission on the Arts. “At this point, the fund is effectively exhausted.”
The Emergency Relief Fund for Arizona Artists and Art Professionals is a collaborative fund for emergency support to arts-based contract workers, teaching and working artists who have experienced a financial burden from canceled events or terminated contracts due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We opened the fund for eight hours and in that time, we got over 520 applications,” said Wilcox. “Beyond those applications that came in that we cannot fund at this point, we’ve had hundreds of others request funding since then.”
Applications are need-based and because of the volume of applications received, the relief grants are maxed at $750 per person to provide expedient relief to as many artists as possible.
“I hit so hard from the ground, running,” said Stephanie DaLeigh, a local artist based in downtown Phoenix. “I filled out so many applications. Any of the projects coming up in the future, ones that I was going to get paid for, have come to a screeching halt.”
In response to the cancelation of events and terminated contracts, artists have attempted to adopt a platform online, many using social media and their own websites to sell and promote their work.
“My whole attitude has been trying to find solutions, so I’ve pivoted as much as possible to working online,” said DaLeigh. “Any fund is important, especially for anyone who is surviving off of group events.”
The 235 relief grants announced represent about 45% of the application pool. Of that percentage, about 75% of the funds are going to applicants in urban metro centers, while 25% will go to recipients in rural or remote communities.
“I don’t think people understand how much work it takes to get these funds out,” said Kristy Velesko, a Peoria-based photographer. “I’m just happy that people are getting help, even if it’s not me at this time.”
Velesko lost income from six events that were canceled or postponed and was not among the first pool of applicants to receive funds.
“Losing all of that income really hit me,” she said. “I’m trying to sell art online, which is a little hard because everyone is strapped for cash.”
The Arizona Commission on the Arts is working with funding partners on a campaign to drive more donations to build up the fund again and support applicants who were not awarded relief grants.
More information on how to donate can be found here.
Contact the reporter at hkochans@asu.edu.
