Arts Council for Long Beach Announces An Additional $450,000 for Artist COVID Relief

LONG BEACH  —  The City of Long Beach’s Development Services Department has partnered with the Arts Council for Long Beach to deliver phase three of the Artist COVID Relief Grant.

This grant program is for individual artists across disciplines who are struggling to have their basic needs (shelter, food, and medical) met due to loss of artistic income from COVID-19. Applicants will be asked to provide a short narrative that addresses how COVID-19 has impacted their ability to generate income from their art form and halted their artistic expression. Artists must meet the following criteria to apply:

●      be a professional, working Long Beach artist (age 18 or older)

●      be a member of the Arts Council registry

●      meet federal low-income thresholds and be able to demonstrate with documentation or certification

Applicants will be eligible for up to $3000. The applicant, once approved, will receive a monthly allocation of the grant. The online application will ask applicants to declare if they have received other relief funds in order to grant the allocation accordingly. Applications open at noon on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. The Arts Council will accept all applications submitted by 11:59pm on March 31, 2021 and create a lottery for the application review process. We will prioritize applications by income: very low-income, low-income, moderate income, previous grantees.

“Artists contribute to our economy, to our communities, and to the future of this city in ways that are irreplaceable,” says Mayor Robert Garcia. “It’s so important for us to support artists during this pandemic so that they can continue to create and sustain Long Beach’s incredible art scene for years to come.”

A total of 90 artists and 14 arts organizations have been supported with the ARTSLB Relief fund and the City of Long Beach Long Beach CARES funding for artists and arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this new Community Development Block Grant program, relief dollars total $1,975,000.

“The artist relief fund is reflective of the Arts Council’s community orientated values in which I’m proud and grateful to be a part of!” stated Samantha Reynolds, a Long Beach artist and COVID Relief grant recipient.

The City recognizes the Arts Council’s efforts during the pandemic and by including the arts and culture sector in the CARES funding it demonstrates that artists are essential to Long Beach’s success. “Giving back to those that make our city a creative hub is crucial. It is great to see the City recognizing artists and performers for their contributions.” stated Griselda Suarez, Arts Council for Long Beach executive director.

Details: https://artslb.org/programs/grants/relief-grants/artist-covid-relief-grant-phase-3/