United States Federal Government Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
* As part of the CARES Act, the $2 trillion relief package passed by Congress, the SBA is making new low-interest loans available
* Economic Injury Disaster Loan: This loan is designed for businesses or sole proprietorships (e.g. musicians who have an LLC)
* Emergency Advance: This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 immediately to small businesses (or sole proprietorships e.g musicians who have an LLC) experience financial losses at this time. It does not need to be repaid!!
* Applicants must first complete an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application
* Emergency Advance link HERE
MusiCARES
* The MusiCares Foundation, affiliated with the Recording Academy (GRAMMY awards) has a musician relief fund
* Applicants must provide documentation of loss of income. This could contracts, flyers, links to venue websites showing cancellations, or a letter from your employer or booker
* Apply HERE
Jazz and Heritage Music Relief Fund
* Visit link HERE
* Applications are currently closed but additional rounds of giving may become available
* Email programs@jazzandheritage.com for more information
Equal Sound
* Equal Sound is a music organization based in Los Angeles. They have a relief fund providing payments for cancelled performances
* Applicants need to show proof that their gig was cancelled
* Apply HERE
Freelancers Relief Fund
To qualify you must:
- Be primarily a freelance worker such as a musician
- Experience a sudden decrease in income of at least 50%
- Provide tangible proof of income and loss of income
*Documentation requirements are more strict for this fund and incomplete applications will not be reviewed!
* View the guidelines HERE
* Apply HERE
Food Resources
* Visit the New Orleans Musician’s Clinic website for information about where to get meals and food support
New Orleans Business Alliance
* Support for gig workers
* Must live in Orleans Parish and be able to demonstrate income from gig work, and income losses
* Read the qualifications and apply HERE
Unemployment Insurance through the Louisiana Workforce Commission
* Visit website HERE
Tulane University School of Social Work Tulane is offering resources for self care during this time, including tips, suggested apps, and other ideas. Watch a video about the importance of self-care HERE, and check out their website with these resources HERE.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Creative Response’s “Platforms Fund” has suspended its normal granting program in order to provide $2,000 individual emergency relief grants to local creators. To qualify, you must:
* Be a practicing artist of any discipline (culture bearer, filmmaker, painter, performer, photographer, sculptor, writer, etc)
* Have lived and worked in the greater New Orleans metro area for at least 12 months
* Have been impacted as result of the pandemic, and need funds to cover necessary living expenses such as food, housing, utilities, medical costs, or family care
* Apply HERE
Americans for the Arts Survey
* This is not a relief fund, but filling out the survey may help provide critical information to organizations seeking to support musicians and performers. Take survey HERE
New Orleans Musicians Clinic COVID resources
* Visit site HERE