Below is a listing of some available Covid-19 programs to help artists, technicians, freelancers, ushers, bartenders, musicians and theater related companies in Massachusetts.

This website is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content on any Covid-19 related pages. These resources are provided free of charge and are for information only.

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4/21 MA Unemployment update – MA Unemployment is now sending out the extra $600 for unemployed workers who were laid off and filed their claims as W2 employees. This $600 is in addition to any state unemployment compensation that you may receive.

The above additional unemployment is different than the available $600 per week from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which was part of the overall C.A.R.E.S. act passed by congress in March. The FPUA is intended to cover gig workers, freelancers and those who make a lot of their income from 1099’s as private contractors.
At this time MA is accepting FPUA claims. Click here to view the department of labor’s website. Massachusetts Unemployment Department

State Programs

✅ Boston Artist Relief Fund
Emergency Grant | Boston
Individual Artists

✅ Cambridge Artist Relief Fund
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Focused on lost income, current and into the foreseeable future, this fund will provide one-time relief to arts organizations and artists who live, work, create, or perform in Cambridge.

✅ Boston Music Maker Relief Fund 
(Boston, MA)

The Record Co. has established a fund to provide financial relief to Boston area music makers experiencing lost income as the result of performance cancellations related to COVID-19. Small grants of up to $200 will be paid rapidly on a first come, first served basis to affected artists and groups.

✅ Boston Singers’ Relief Fund COVID-19 Emergency Relief
(Boston, MA)

The Boston Singers’ Relief Fund is offering a streamlined application process for grants up to $500. New England-based singers whose classical performances were cancelled due to concerns over COVID-19 are eligible to apply. Applications are no longer being accepted for this program, but there are plans to provide further support to singers in need later this month.

✅ Bridgesong Fund
(Western Massachusetts)

Emergency relief for western MA women, nonbinary, and genderqueer artists of color.

✅ Cape Cod Arts Relief Fund
(Cape Cod, MA)

The fund will provide up to $500 per applicant to support full- or part-time professional artists who have lost income used to sustain their creative practice due to the COVID-19 crisis. To be eligible, artists must live, work, create, and/or perform on Cape Cod.

✅ Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals
(Massachusetts)

The purpose of the COVID-19 Relief Fund is to support individuals whose creative practices and incomes are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants of $1,000 will be available to Massachusetts individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists who have lost income derived from their work as a direct result of COVID-19 related cancellations and closures.

✅ North Adams Artist Rapid Response Working Capital Grants
(North Adams, MA) – 20 grants of $1,000 to artists who live or make work in the city of North Adams, MA.

✅ Theater Community Benevolent Fund
(Boston, MA)

Acknowledging the high potential of unexpected need within Boston’s theatre community during these unprecedented times, TCBF will begin to review all COVID-19-related applications to the Fund on a weekly basis.