Did your gig get cancelled when you didn't expect it? Or did your car break down which impacted your art practice? The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term relief to individual artists facing housing, healthcare, income, transportation, legal, or property loss emergencies that impact their wellbeing or ability to work. This program offers one-time awards of $500. In general, payments for emergency assistance are considered gifts and are not taxable income. Individuals must be currently active in a creative practice and live in Region 1: (Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, or Roseau). The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported by F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
The application process opened May 1, 2026. Application deadlines are in 2026 June 15, August 15, October 15, and December 15 and in 2027 February 15, April 15, June 15 as funds allow.
Reach out to NWMAC Executive Director Mara Hanel with questions about the program or application process at nwartscouncil@gmail.com or 218-745-8886, ext 1.
