A series of forest fires have ravaged Los Angeles over the past week, claiming more than 12,000 structures and two dozen lives. Numerous artists and craftsmen in the region have been devastated by the loss of homes and studios, even entire ones career worth of work. As the fires continue and Los Angeles residents begin to understand the magnitude of the disaster, support for those affected is urgently needed.
Whether you’re looking for help or want to know how you can help, we’ve put together a list of resources to help you get started. Many of these link to other spreadsheets and donation sites, run by both organizations and individuals, which receive regular updates as new opportunities arise.
Aid financing and grants
Emergency grant from the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation
Painters, printmakers and sculptors who have maintained a practice for ten years or more can receive a one-time grant of up to $15,000 to provide relief in the face of a catastrophic event. Typical grants range from $5,000 to $7,000.
Emergency Artisan Aid Fund (CERF+)
$3,000 emergency assistance grants are available to individual craft artists using traditional or folkloric materials and engaged in public practices who have recently experienced a disruptive emergency or disaster.
Artists’ Fellowship One-time emergency aid
Need-based financial assistance is available 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.
Rauschenberg Emergency medical grants for artists
These grants provide needs-based funding to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography and a category called ‘film/video/electronic/digital arts’. Filers cannot have earned more than $75,000 in average gross income on their last two tax returns, or $150,000 for joint filers. Registration closes at 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday January 14th.
Contemporary Art Foundation Emergency Grant
Urgent grants are available 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. Grants range from $500 to $3,000.
Fundraisers
Help LA artists and crafters start over on GoFundMe
Organized by Ariel Pittman, senior director of Diverse Small Fires, along with a team of volunteers, this GoFundMe aims to raise $500,000 to support LA’s arts community.
Hashimoto Contemporary Firefighting Fundraiser in Los Angeles
More than twenty artists donated original works and limited edition prints as prizes for the drawing. With each entry you have a chance to win one work. Registration closes at 12:00 PM PT on January 15. Winners will be drawn on January 16 at 12pm PT during a live event on Hashimoto Contemporary’s Instagram Stories. 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to a 501(c)3 organization that helps with community support. Buy tickets.
List of fire department fundraisers
This list includes active GoFundMe campaigns and other ways to support individuals affected by the fires.
Anat Egbi poster sales in support of Alex Egan
Egan is one of many who have lost his home and studio. The artist was in the final days of completing works for his upcoming solo exhibition with Anat Egbi, which would open at the end of January. All works were lost in the fire. 100% of the proceeds from poster sales support the artist.
Further resources
Hyperallergic
An ongoing list of resources to help artists affected by the fires, including mutual aid such as art supply donations, storage, donation campaigns, and general relief funding.
Artistic
A list of resources and ways to support artists and arts workers in LA, including mutual aid, state and federal disaster relief, and individual and community fundraisers.
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
General resources to support those affected by the fires, including temporary housing, where to donate, access to food, healthcare and medical care, animal evacuation and more.
