How to help Artists and Art Workers Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires
In response to the recent devastation experienced by our community we’ve compiled a helpful list of resources and donation opportunities to support artists, art workers, and creatives impacted by the L.A. wildfires. Please share widely and give generously.
If you’re unsure where to begin, investing in artwork is a powerful first step. Purchasing pieces from artists you admire directly supports not only their creative practice but also the galleries, curators, and art professionals who help bring their work to the world. Your patronage helps the entire art community and keeps creativity thriving.
If we can help guide you through an acquisition that will benefit an impacted artist or gallery, please contact us to get started.
Photograph: Natalie Obermaier
LA Art World Fire Relief
A mutual aid fund launched on GoFundMe by artists and art workers with the initial goal of raising $500,000. The funds will be distributed to artists and art workers who have experienced full loss or severe damage to their home, studio, or crucial personal property. Individuals in need of assistance should fill out this form. Those who are able to offer mutual aid (temporary housing, clothing, legal aid etc.) and would like to do so can fill out this form.
The goal is to raise $500,000 to be distributed to artists and art workers who have lost their home and / or studio as a result of the Eaton, Palisades, Sunset, and other fires in the Los Angeles area.
Organized by:
Kathryn Andrews, artist
Andrea Bowers, artist
Olivia Gauthier, gallery director
Julia V. Hendrickson, arts professional
Ariel Pittman, gallery director
LA-area artists / art workers: express your need survey link:
Community members: express your share (mutual aid) survey link:
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
Provides emergency, need-based financial support to painters, sculptors, and printmakers who have experienced catastrophic, unforeseen events. To qualify, applicants “must be able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of ten years in a mature phase of his or her work.” Deadline is ongoing and the average grant awarded is $5,000 with a maximum of $15,000.
CERF + Craft Emergency Relief Fund
Open to craft artists ages 18 and up, this emergency relief fund provides $3,000 for those who have experienced a “substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.” The fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and has recently issued a statement welcoming those affected by the Los Angeles fires to apply.
Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grants for Artists
Provides need-based grants to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical, or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography, and an expansive category called “film/video/electronic/digital arts.” Eligible applicants cannot have earned more than $75,000 average gross income for their last two tax filings, or $150,000 for joint filers. Application closes Tuesday, January 14 at 5:00 PM ET.
Artists’ Fellowship One-Time Emergency Aid
Need-based financial assistance to professional visual artists and their families or dependents in the event of sickness, natural disaster, bereavement, or unexpected extreme hardship. The fellowship notes that professional artists “make their livelihood through sales as reported on a Schedule C with a U.S. Federal tax return,” and that a demonstrated exhibition history is ideal.
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
Urgent grants between $500–$3,000 for visual and performing artists who have sudden and unanticipated opportunities to exhibit or present with insufficient time to seek other sources of funding. (Application guidelines and FAQs)
Entertainment Community Fund Emergency Financial Assistance
Monetary assistance available to performing artists and entertainment industry workers who have documented income criteria within theater, film, television, music, radio and dance for the most recent six consecutive years. The organization will work with California-based applicants who don’t have access to the required documents to fulfill their application. (Eligibility and turnaround time FAQs here)
Arts&Rec Upstate New York Artist Residency
In conjunction with OSMOS, the Western Catskills-based recreational arts organization Arts&Rec has decided to open its multi-person artist residency in Stamford, New York, to affected artists from Los Angeles county. The residency can accommodate four parties (individual artists, couples, or small families) and typically lasts one month but the duration is negotiable considering the circumstances. Stipends for travel and materials and studio space are available. Reach out to director@artsandrec.com or @artsandrec_catskills on Instagram for details.
Artist Material Exchange
A crowdsourced, ongoing document for artists to list materials they have available, as well as materials needed.
Art Supply Donations
Artist Adam Alessi is accepting donations of art supplies and coordinating to get those supplies to affected artists. Art supply donations
Superchief Gallery is hosting an art supplies drive at their Chinatown gallery address. Those interested in volunteering with the effort or helping deliver supplies can email Celina Rodriguez at celina@thecelinarodriguez.com.
Thinkspace Projects is collecting supplies to donate to Red Cross LA and is also distributing N95 masks at their gallery space.
Craig Krull Gallery is currently accepting donations of children's school supplies and art materials for schools taking on displaced students. Please contact Gallery Director Aleina Edwards at info@craigkrullgallery.com for more information.
Art Storage
Hashimoto Contemporary Director Dasha Matsuura has offered temporary artwork and supply storage at the gallery space between Mid City and McManus neighborhoods. Reach out to Matsuura via @dashasayshi on Instagram to coordinate.
General Aid Resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Individuals affected by the Los Angeles fires can apply for FEMA aid, which can include financial support, as well as supplies, such as food, water, and medication. Funds are also available for immediate support, including for hotel stays. Several restrictions apply, which are listed on the application.
LA Fire Mutual Aid Resource Hub: An ongoing list of mutual aid resources.
Mutual Aid Los Angeles (MALAN): An ongoing list of mutual aid resources and ways to volunteer or donate.
Fire Aid Match Program: A peer-to-peer aid initiative that matches donors with applicants to directly disperse clothing and essential items, thus eliminating the need for a donation center.
Where to donate items
Immersive Art Collective: Providing temporary storage for salvaged artworks and instruments and collecting essential amenities. Accepting donations of plastic sheets, boxes, blue tape, non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene products, and pet supplies. 1035 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
Make Room: Collecting essential items—including N95 masks, flashlights, batteries, camping supplies, towels, toiletries, phone chargers, and first aid kits—as well as art supplies. 6361 Waring Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Superchief Gallery LA: Collecting supplies and essential items for fire victims, as well as art supplies to be given directly to artists. 1965 S Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Thinkspace Projects: Collecting a wide range of supplies to be donated to the Red Cross Los Angeles. The gallery is also distributing N95 masks while supplies last. 4217 and 4207 W. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Fundraisers for individual artists and institutions
Alec Egan (Anat Egbi is hosting a poster sale with 100% of proceeds benefiting Egan.)
Alice Könitz and Artists Studios
Grief and Hope (Kathryn Andrews, Andrea Bowers, Olivia Gauthier, Julia V. Hendrickson, Ariel Pittman)
Mark Whalen (Saenger Galería is also hosting a sale of limited edition prints with 100% of proceeds going to the artist.)
