The Maine Artist Relief Fund will award grants of $500 to individual artists who live in Maine and whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19). With events of all types being cancelled to reduce the spread of COVID-19, people who make income partially or fully through artist gigs, exhibits, events and freelance work are losing critical opportunities to support their well-being in our state.

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The Maine Artist Relief Fund will open for applications on April 1, 2020, for artists who have lost or anticipate losing income. The Maine Artist Relief Fund will be open through the rest of our fiscal year, ending June 30, 2020. 

We welcome applications from all artists living in Maine, but will prioritize lower income artists as determined by the application. The fund will be open for but not limited to the following uses:

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• Recouping financial losses due to cancelled events. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Performances in all performing arts disciplines

  • Readings, panels, and speaking opportunities

  • Classes or workshops

  • Festivals or events

• Reimbursement for travel expenses related to creative work that you paid for yourself. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Attending conferences and meetings that have been cancelled

  • Artist Residencies

  • Touring

  • Events

  • Festivals

• Offsetting loss of income for teaching artists who have not been able to teach during this time because of cancelled classes and school closures

• Support for artists working full or part-time in the service industry who have lost supplemental income used to support their creative practices

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We are also accepting donations. Donations to to the Maine Artist Relief Fund are made through ArtEngageME's Annual Fund, which is currently designated for crisis relief for artists and arts organizations impacted by the 2020 COVID-19 health emergency.