A running list of resources to help artists affected by LA Fires

As multiple fires continue to devastate parts of Los Angeles County, cultural organizations and individual artists have launched initiatives to provide support and resources to those in Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu and other areas affected by the simultaneous fires. A working list of these available resources and relief efforts is included at the end of this article.

“Everything is gone. Every neighbor of mine has lost their home,” said artist and writer Christina Quarles, whose adjacent homes and short-term rental properties in Altadena were burned by the Eaton Fire, along with a majority of the buildings in her neighborhood. Hyperallergic over the phone from Joshua Tree.

Her family had already suffered a devastating house fire last April, destroying everyone’s belongings and almost all of her artwork. Quarles and her wife Alyssa had been overseeing the renovation work for the past eight months before the Eaton fire destroyed everything again.

“I don’t know how an entire community rebuilds itself,” she continued. “Altadena is such a racially and economically diverse area, and so many artists have been drawn here for generations. It is such a beautiful and special place, and everything is gone.”

By fundraisers to support individual homeowners and businesses in mutual aid efforts to gather supplies to distribute to those in need, there are many ways to help those affected by this week’s fires, which are still ongoing partly unattended.

“As we watched the homes, studios and apartments of our colleagues and friends being destroyed, we also received inquiries from our networks outside of LA asking how we could help,” said Ariel Pittman, senior director of the Diverse Small Fires gallery. Hyperallergic.

Yesterday, Pittman and four other artists and cultural workers launched a Gofundme campaign to support affected artists and arts organizations, which have raised nearly $35,000 of their $500,000 goal to date. The group, which also plans to partner with a number of California institutions and is actively recruiting more administrative team members, also released two surveys to assess community needs and to gather resources for mutual aid.

“We all know full well how precarious stability is for art and its artists, so our initial goal is to stabilize and come together to make a meaningful impact as quickly as possible,” Pittman continued. “We are creative people, we take action when something needs to be done.”

Beatriz Cortez, a Salvadoran sculptor and welder who lived in an artist community in Altadena, told That’s hyperallergic She also thinks expert help can be helpful.

“People need expertise in dealing with insurance companies, they need architects who can help them rebuild their studios or houses,” Cortez said. “They need money to pay for the labor for reconstruction, but there is also pro bono work.” Yesterday she launched one fundraising to help rebuild the house and apartment where she has lived for the past three years after the property was hit by the Eaton fire.

Several organizations, including the Glendale nonprofit Junior highCrenshaw Gallery Thinkspace projectsand the Black image center in Culver City have also opened their doors as places where displaced residents can gather in filtered air, charge phones and laptops, fill up on snacks and water, and temporarily store their belongings, much like independent artists with private studios.

There are also several grants and emergency assistance options for artists affected by the fires. Online guides can also be helpful resources, such as the “National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response”An arts field guide to federal emergency response,” which aims to simplify the disaster relief process for artists and cultural nonprofits by outlining what programs are available.

Below is a list of resources for artists. This list will be continuously updated.

Tools for mutual aid

• Superchief Gallery is hosting an art supplies campaign at their gallery address in Chinatown and on Saturday, January 11, a night market in support of fire victims. Those interested in volunteering or helping deliver supplies can email Celina Rodriguez at celina@thecelinarodriguez.com.

• Thinkspace Projects is gather supplies to donate to the Red Cross LA and is also handing out N95 masks in their gallery space.

• Art advisor and collection manager Thea Smolinski started one community spreadsheet coordinating an exchange of art materials.

• Glendale Community Gallery Junior high has periodically opened its space to those affected by the fires, offering Wi-Fi, K95 masks, water bottles, hot meals, snacks, hygiene products and other resources. Check that of the organization Instagram stories for updates.

• Culver City Black image center is opened periodically to offer water bottles, air conditioning, snacks and masks. Check them Instagram stories and posts for updates.

• Chinatown Bookstore and Gallery The Fulcrum Press offers its space to people who need internet, electricity to charge devices, filtered air and space to store things. Please contact them Instagram coordinate.
• Thomas Martinez Pilnik and Brea Weinreb, artists working out of Mohilef Studios in downtown Los Angeles, invite artists in need of studio space, storage and decluttering help to message them directly at @mohilef_studios on Instagram for help. Martinez Pilnik also confirmed this Hyperallergic that he can house works of art in his ceramic studio in San Clemente for those who reach out @feia.studio on Instagram.

• Hashimoto contemporary Director Dasha Matsuura has offered temporary artwork and inventory storage in the gallery space between the Mid City and McManus neighborhoods. Contact Matsuura at @dashasayshi on Instagram to coordinate.

Donation campaigns

• As mentioned above, Pittman and four other volunteer Angelenos created the Art World Fire Relief LA Gofundme campaign collecting donations to distribute as grants to artists and art workers who have lost their place of residence and workplace.
• Here, hereAnd here These are working lists from Gofundme campaigns to directly support families displaced by the Los Angeles fires.

• This Gofundme campaign is raising money to rebuild Zorthian Ranch, a community artist ranch in Altadena that was destroyed by the fire.

• This Gofundme organized by Beatriz Cortez aims to rebuild the Altadena artist community created by Peter Kim and Alice Könitz

• This campaign is spending money to rebuild the public exhibits at Altadena, a performing arts theater that was destroyed on Tuesday.

• The arts research initiative For the future is collect funds through Venmo and CashApp to support artists affected by the fires. Donations will support the replacement of lost instruments, materials and equipment; granting access to studio space; and connecting artists with resources to help them rebuild.

Aid funding, grants and residencies

• Emergency grant from the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation — Eligible painters, printmakers and sculptors who have maintained their practice for ten years or more may receive a one-time grant of up to $15,000 (typical grants range from $5,000 to $7,000) to assist in the face of a catastrophic event . (Frequently asked questions about eligibility and lead times available here.)
• Emergency Artisan Aid Fund (CERF+) – $3,000 emergency relief grants for individual craft artists with public practices using traditional or folkloric materials who have recently experienced a disruptive emergency or disaster.
• Artists’ Fellowship One-time emergency aid — Needs-based financial support to professional visual artists and their families or dependents in the event of illness, natural disasters, deaths or unexpected extreme hardship. The fellowship notes that professional artists “earn their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. federal tax return,” and that a demonstrated exhibition history is ideal.
• Contemporary Art Foundation Emergency Grant — Urgent grants between $500 and $3,000 for visual and performing artists who have sudden and unexpected opportunities to exhibit or present and do not have enough time to seek other sources of funding. (Application guidelines And Frequently asked questions)
• Entertainment Community Fund Emergency Financial Assistance — Monetary assistance available to performers and entertainment industry workers who have documented income criteria in theater, film, television, music, radio and dance for the past six consecutive years. The organization will work with California-based applicants who do not have access to the required documents to fulfill their application. (Frequently asked questions about eligibility and lead time here)
• Arts&Rec Artist Residency in New York State — In partnership with OSMOS, Western Catskills-based recreational arts organization Arts&Rec has decided to open its multi-person artist residency in Stamford, New York, to affected Los Angeles County artists. The residency accommodates four groups (individual artists, couples or small families) and usually lasts one month, but the duration is negotiable given the circumstances. Reimbursements for travel and material costs and studio space are available. Contact director@artsandrec.com or @artsandrec_catskills on Instagram for details.