In case of emergency

Springboard for the Arts’ Artists Loan Fund The Artists Loan Fund provides low-interest loans from $1000 to $5000, at a rate of 1% above the prime rate, simple interest, to artists in all artistic disciplines in the Twin Cities area, including the performing arts. Loan terms are from 12 to 36 months. Springboard for the Arts’ Emergency Relief Fund Artist applicants living in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin may access up to $500 to help with unexpected emergency expenses due to fire, theft, health emergency, or any other catastrophic, career-threatening event. Started by artists, the purpose of ERF is to help recover from a specific economic crisis so that the artist may continue to work. (ERF does not cover rent/fees to landlords, home mortgage, credit card bills and other anticipated expenses.) Artist Relief Fund (for residents of northeastern MN and northwestern WI) In 2005, the sale of artworks, chapbooks, and benefit performances donated by artists living in Minnesota and Wisconsin fueled the creation of Artist Relief Fund. Artist Relief Fund serves artists working in 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 at least one year prior to submitting an application. Grant amounts range from $500 to $1,500. Applications are typically from individuals who demonstrate a commitment of seven years or more to their work. Episcopal Actors’ Guild of America, Inc. Emergency Aid & Relief Program The applicant must be a professional performing artist who is pursuing an established and ongoing career in the performing arts. (Professional status is determined by documented earnings and/or membership in one or more of the following professional performing artists' labor unions: AEA, ACTRA, AGMA, AGVA, SAG, AFTRA.) The Executive Director of the program may approve individual grants of up to $750. Three members of the Grants Committee must approve individual grants over $750. R.E.S.C.U. Foundation (for Renaissance Festival performers) RESCU was founded almost 6 years ago by veteran Renaissance participants. It now consists of 10-12 board members including artisans, actors, guild members, and a former bank executive. RESCU Foundation is a non-profit organization established to promote and maintain the health and medical well-being of the participants of Renaissance Faires, historical performances, and other artistic events through financial assistance, advocacy, education, and preventative programs. Dramatists Guild of America The Fund The Fund provides grants to professional dramatists experiencing personal hardships such as health-related problems or the temporary loss of income (in addition to providing grants to not-for-profit theatrical organizations that produce works by American writers). The Dramatists Guild of America is also interested in helping older playwrights, composers, and lyricists who are ill, uninsured, or whose royalties have dried up. Recipients need not be Dramatists Guild members. The Actors Fund The Actors Fund is a nationwide organization and its services and programs are so extensive, from health to housing to work, that it must have something for you if you are an artist in need. Change, Inc. Change, Inc. provides one-time emergency grants up to $1000 to professional artists of any discipline. Each applicant must submit a detailed letter describing the financial emergency, copies of outstanding bills, medical fee estimates, and current financial statements, along with a career resume, reviews, exhibition, or performance announcements, slides or photos of work, and two letters of reference from someone in affiliated field. Not only for artists (recommended by Springboard for the Arts): Modest Needs A great national resource for anybody (not just artists) who are looking for emergency financial assistance in modest amounts. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income Minnesotans. Title: In case of emergency. Summary: Use this handy list to help you find funds you need to live while earning the sporadic amounts of cash you do as a performing artist.