WNY Arts Emergency Relief Fund

Program Status: Currently all funding has been distributed. Applications accepted on rolling basis if additional funding becomes available.

Geographic Scope: Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties, New York

Background: Created in response to COVID-19 pandemic to support Western New York's creative industry impacted by cancelled performances, workshops, gigs, and event-based income losses. Funded by Fund for the Arts and supported by multiple local foundations and individual donors.

Focus: Supporting both individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations to help cover living and operating expenses during the crisis.

Award Amounts

Individual Artists: Up to $1,000 for living expenses

Arts Organizations: Up to $5,000 for general operating expenses

Eligibility - Individual Artists

• Must be permanent resident of Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua counties
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Cannot be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program
• Must demonstrate direct and significant loss of income directly related to arts/cultural work
• Priority given to individuals whose primary income source is from creating or practicing art
• Eligible disciplines include all creative arts

Eligibility - Arts Organizations

• Must be located in Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua counties
• Arts and cultural programming must be part of mission and primary focus
• Must have at least one full year of completed arts or cultural programming
• Must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax exempt, or have CHAR500 status
• Must demonstrate direct and significant loss of revenue due to cancelled events, programs, projects

Additional Requirements (Both Individual & Organization)

• Funding cannot cover training, medical procedures, or redistributed through regrant program
• Funding cannot cover costs related to previously ASI-funded programs (2020 DEC, Global Warming Art Project, etc.)

What They Don't Fund

• Training and educational programs
• Medical procedures
• Projects/programs previously funded by ASI

Contact:

• Holly Grant: [email protected] or 716-833-3004 x512
• ASI Office: 2495 Main Street, #401, Buffalo, NY 14214

Supporters: Cameron and Jane Baird Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, First Niagara Foundation, M&T Charitable Foundation, John R. Oishei Foundation, WNY Foundation, plus individual donors

Application Process

Deadline: Rolling basis - no deadline. Applications accepted until funds depleted.

Application Submission:

• Complete application online using the application portal button on website
• Link to apply available on WNY Arts Emergency Relief Fund page

Review Timeline:

• Applications reviewed weekly by ASI staff and community leaders
• Timeline depends on number of requests and overall need
• Considered on first-come, first-served basis

Review Criteria

Applications evaluated based on:

1. Need for funding
2. Urgency of request
3. Impact of funding on organization/individual
4. Efforts to continue art and creative practice beyond COVID-19
5. Demonstration of direct and significant income/revenue loss

Funding Decisions

• Funding assigned based on need and represents full creative sector diversity (socio-economic, cultural heritage, ethnicity, organization size, artistic discipline, geographic location, career-level)
• Partial funding may be awarded instead of full request amount
• Every application evaluated on its own merits
• Applicants not receiving funding provided feedback and may resubmit
• Currently a one-time award (subject to policy changes based on need and availability)

Required Information in Application

• Demonstrate direct and significant loss of income/revenue
• Explanation of impact and urgency
• Description of efforts to continue arts practice/programming
• For organizations: evidence of 501(c)(3), tax exempt, or CHAR500 status
• For individuals: confirmation of permanent residency in eligible counties and primary income source

Support & Questions:

• Contact Holly Grant at [email protected] or 716-833-3004 x512