4 Friends Emergency Fund for Artists

The Four Friends Emergency Fund for Artists

The current crisis, caused by COVID-19, has impacted our community’s artists in a deeply profound way. With the mandate of social distancing, events and gigs have been cancelled to reduce the spread of the virus. Artists who make their income partially or fully through gigs and freelance work are losing essential income, creating the perfect storm of economic hardship.

Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) recognizes the adversity this is having on our local artists and is working quickly to respond to and address the needs of the artists we serve.

With the approval of the Founders of the Four Friends Grant Fund, we have expanded the original guidelines and are allocating up to $10,000 in personal relief to artists.

The Four Friends Emergency Fund for Artists, a program of the Four Friends Grant Fund, will now provide up to $500 in assistance to artists experiencing loss of income due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The fund is designed to reimburse actual documented lost revenue up to $500. Speculative loss of income will not be eligible for the grant.

Eligibility-COVID-19 Related Expenses

Artists and creative workers living in Ocala/Marion County are eligible to request up to $500. The fund will be open, but not limited to, the following uses: Request for grants must be limited to loss of payment due to the COVID-19 Pandemic beginning March 11, 2020 until a time to be determined and/or the fund exhausted. The fund is designed to reimburse actual documented lost revenue up to $500. 

• Financial losses due to cancelled events, including performances in all performing arts, disciplines, readings, and speaking opportunities
• Offsetting loss of income for teaching artists who could not teach during this time because of cancelled classes and school closures. (Not available for teachers in the public or private school system who will continue to receive their paycheck)

Guidelines and Criteria

This personal emergency relief fund will help meet the challenges that our community’s artists face. Artists will be able to quickly access up to $500 to recoup financial losses due to cancelled work that was scheduled and lost, offset loss of expected income. The fund is not available to compensate for future gigs or potential loss of business.

Ocala/Marion County artists who have lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. performances, contracts) due to COVID-19 Pandemic are eligible to apply.

• For funding needs related to gigs that have been outright cancelled, not just postponed.
• The fund is limited to artists in Ocala/Marion County
• Must be a member of Marion Cultural Alliance
• May not apply or receive another grant from Four Friends Grant Fund or any other MCA Grant for a calendar year from receipt of a Four Friends Emergency Grant Fund

Four Friends Emergency Fund for Artists Application

As artists, creative workers, and freelancers lose work and income due to cancellations and closings related to the COVID-19 pandemic, MCA has established The Four Friends Emergency Fund for Artists.

This Fund will help provide relief due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (performances, contracts) due to COVID-19 social distancing mandates. Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost.

Donations to the fund are welcome and will be used to support local artists.

Marion Cultural Alliance, Inc. (MCA) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services #CH13766. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The toll-free number of the department is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352)-calling within the State of Florida, or (850) 410-3800-calling from outside of Florida.  The Department’s website is www.FDACS.gov Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax consultant.