NEFA joins State Arts Agency Partners in COVID-19 Artist Relief

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Communications Director & Co-Accessibility Coordinator

(Boston, MA) The Board of Directors of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) approved an award of $282,000 to support emergency artist relief funds in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed to artists in the six New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont – in partnership with New England’s state arts agencies.

Drawing from its unrestricted Strategic Opportunity & Risk Reserve fund, NEFA will grant $47,000 in support of artists in each New England state via funds established at state arts agencies or a regranting partner in the state. Grants to individual artists will range from $500–$1,000.

“NEFA’s reserve policy enables us to allocate funds for several purposes, including responding to emergency situations,” said NEFA Board chair Ann Smith. “Artists are the core of the cultural ecosystem; this is an essential investment in the health of communities across the region.”

“NEFA is keeping artists at the center of our work,” said NEFA executive director Cathy Edwards. “We are intent on supporting our constituents both in terms of immediate emergency relief and as we envision a post-pandemic future that is inclusive, equitable, imaginative, and creative.”

Artists in New England seeking relief should visit the fund in their state:

Connecticut: CT Office of the Arts
Maine: Maine Artist Relief Fund
Massachusetts: COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals
New Hampshire: New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
Rhode Island: Artist Relief Fund
Vermont: Vermont Rapid Response Artist Relief

Additional emergency grants and resources are listed on NEFA’s COVID-19 webpage.

About NEFA

The New England Foundation for the Arts invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. NEFA accomplishes this by granting funds to artists and cultural organizations; connecting them to each other and their audiences; and analyzing their economic contributions. NEFA serves as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England’s state arts agencies, and private foundations. Learn more at www.nefa.org.

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