We are living in a time of uncertainty due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The world has been virtually shut down in order to prevent the spread of this virus. While many have been given the option of work from home in order to comply with the social distancing regulations put in effect, many have lost their income completely. One industry directly effected has been the music industry.
This industry relies heavily on live events. The effects of these cancellations go up and down the entire ladder from food vendors, security, ticketing, merchandising, agents, managers, and of course the artists themselves. While unemployment is available to help offset these losses, for a majority of people it is not enough.
That is why we praise the following organizations for offering relief aid to those who have lost wages due to the coronavirus outbreak. If you, a friend, or a family member are in the music profession and have experienced hardship during this time, please reach out to the following:
- Artist Relief Tree - Artists can request funds from the Artist Relief Tree, which plans to fulfill every request with a flat $250 on a first-come-first-serve basis. The fund is currently not accepting new requests until it can secure more funding, but if you would like to be informed if and when the opportunity becomes available again, click here.
- AudioAssemble.com - Provides a list of online remote opportunities for musicians that are available for U.S.-based musicians during the COVID-19 outbreak. Their financial resources page has short-term and long-term job opportunities, as well as governmental resources to help musicians generate revenue.
- Convertkit Creative Fund - The fund covers up to $500 per creator to help cover medical, childcare, housing or grocery needs.
- Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund - Applicants must provide proof they had a confirmed concert canceled over the coronavirus to receive the money.
- Facebook Small Business Grants Program - Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses around the world, including music and live events businesses.
- K-BL CA MUSIC EMERGENCY FUND - Funding event workers that were hired at festivals for the next few months that have all been canceled, musicians with gigs canceled who are having trouble getting other work, and music venue staff that cannot work for the foreseeable future.
- Leveler.info - The “peer-to-peer wealth distribution” service is a tool for salaried workers to donate funds across a database of freelancers, service industry and gig economy workers who are impacted by coronavirus health and safety restrictions.
- Missed Tour - Artists and bands who have been displaced from touring due to the pandemic can list their merchandise on this site to help offset lost revenue -- with zero charges or fees. Apply to be added to the site here.
- MusiCares- The Recording Academy and its charitable foundation MusiCares have committed $2 million in total to a COVID-19 Relief Fund, established to assist those in the music community who have been affected by the pandemic.
- Patreon What the Fund Grant Program - The crowd-funding platform has set up a grant program to benefit select artists who have been impacted by the coronavirus. Patreon itself kickstarted the fund by donating $10,000 and is currently accepting contributions.
If you know of any other organizations that are helping music industry professionals during the current state of affairs, please leave a comment below!