LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund

The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund provides financial assistance to artists and arts workers in Los Angeles County who have been affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which began on January 7, 2025. This initiative is spearheaded by the J. Paul Getty Trust, with contributions from a coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists. The Fund is designed to address emergency needs resulting from the wildfire crisis, offering direct financial relief to individuals experiencing significant economic hardship due to the disaster. The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), a 501(c)(3) public charity, has been entrusted to manage the application process and distribute the funds. The program is open to individual artists and arts workers who are full-time residents of Los Angeles County as of January 7, 2025. Applicants must demonstrate financial need resulting from the fires, with priority given to those who have lost their primary residence or art studios. Additionally, the Fund prioritizes individuals with low and middle incomes, those without intergenerational wealth, and those who have suffered losses not covered by insurance. While funding is available to artists and workers in all disciplines, a portion of the relief is specifically allocated to visual artists and employees of visual arts institutions. Eligible individuals may apply for up to $10,000 in unrestricted funds, which can be used for any expenses that alleviate financial hardship. These funds are considered non-taxable as they are distributed under a federally qualified disaster relief program. Due to the potential high volume of applications, some requests may receive reduced amounts to accommodate more applicants. If demand significantly exceeds available resources, a lottery system weighted by priority criteria will be used to distribute funding. Applications are open from January 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. PST to February 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PST. The application process is designed to be simple, focusing on verifying residency, arts sector involvement, and the impact of the fires on the applicant’s financial situation. Applicants must submit documentation proving their residence, role in the arts sector, and the impact of the fire on their home or workspace. Final funding decisions will be based on eligibility and financial need. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PST. Funds will be disbursed via direct deposit through Tipalti, CCI’s payment processing platform, or via check if requested. CCI has no control over bank processing times but estimates that funds will be available within three to five business days after approval. The organization also provides assistance to applicants needing alternative payment arrangements. The grant application is available exclusively online through CCI’s Submittable platform. Applicants must create an account to apply. While applications are only accepted in English, Spanish translation and interpretation services are available through Eriksen Translations. Individuals needing additional assistance with the application process can contact CCI via email or phone during business hours. The program operates on principles of trust, generosity, and sensitivity, aiming to provide relief to those most in need within the arts community.