Artist Emergency Relief Fund
The Artist Emergency Relief Fund has been created by a consortium of Augusta’s leading cultural organizations which was established to address the needs of Augusta-area artists in these trying times. In recent weeks, the leaders of these non-profits met (virtually) to discuss the impact of Covid-19 and its negative effects, specifically upon Augusta area gig-artists—contracted or self-employed artists—working in all artistic disciplines (visual, musical, literary, performance, etc.). Grants, made possible by the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area and the United Way of the CSRA, will allow artists to recover some of the income they’ve lost through the cancellation of scheduled performances or lost business opportunities (commission or contract) resulting from mandated precautionary measures taken to stem the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19. Artists are encouraged to apply for up to $500 in compensation for work that was scheduled and lost.
The Artist Relief Fund is overseen by the Augusta Cultural Arts Consortium, consisting of the Augusta Players, Augusta University Department of Art + Design, the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, the Morris Museum of Art, Sacred Heart Cultural Center, and Westobou. It is administered by the Greater Augusta Arts Council.