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For Immediate Release
April 6, 2020
Information: Sarah Sidman | 206-788-3051 | sarahsidman@artsfund.org
ArtsFund, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Communications
COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund Surpasses $2.4M
SEATTLE, WA— ArtsFund announces the funds raised to date for the COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund total $2,450,947. ArtsFund, along with a coalition of arts and cultural organizations, created the COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund to provide short-term relief to arts organizations that have been hard hit during this public health emergency. The fund launched on March 20, 2020, with $1.5 million and has grown by nearly $1 million in its first two weeks fueled by donations from major donors as well as smaller, individual gifts. Individuals and organizations can donate to the fund and find out more at www.artsfund.org/CovidRelief.
Grants will be distributed at the end of April as unrestricted emergency support payments. King County nonprofits in ArtsFund’s Cultural Partners Network are eligible to receive funds. A subsequent round of grants with broader scope may be made if additional funding is secured.
“When we can once again gather as a community, we are going to rely on the arts to help us process this experience and reconnect,” said Susan M. Coliton, ArtsFund Interim CEO. “We will need the arts more than ever as we rebuild our neighborhoods, communities, and our culture. It’s up to us to be there for arts now, so arts can be there for us in the future.”
The shutdown is having catastrophic effects on nonprofit arts and culture organizations which are responsible for nearly 20,000 jobs and support almost 17,000 additional jobs in restaurants, parking, childcare, and more. Arts organizations are bracing for worst case scenarios which could include closure, bankruptcy, and insolvency. ArtsFund started the COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund to help arts and cultural organizations to maintain essential functions and retain core staff throughout the current public health crisis so that they are able to reopen when possible.
ArtsFund’s Relief Fund is part of a broad public and private response directing relief funding to arts and cultural nonprofits and artists whose livelihoods are threatened by the crisis. “While the collective total of these private and public efforts is significant, we know so much more is needed and will continue to do our part to galvanize support,” Coliton said.
To contribute to ArtsFund’s COVID-19 Arts Emergency Relief Fund visit www.artsfund.org/CovidRelief, call 206-281-9050, or mail a check made out to ArtsFund to PO Box 19780, Seattle, WA 98109.
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About ArtsFund:
ArtsFund strengthens the community by supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grant making. Founded in October 1969, the Seattle-based nonprofit has been building community through the arts for 50 years and is one of the nation’s leading United Arts Funds. ArtsFund was originally founded as the United Arts Council of Puget Sound to bring corporate and civic leaders together to help establish and sustain our region’s arts and cultural institutions. 50 years later, ArtsFund has supported nearly 240 arts nonprofits with more than $84 million in grants, and by providing valuable leadership and advocacy. For more on ArtsFund visit www.artsfund.org.