In 2023, the Cambridge Art Association launched the Emergency Fund for Artists. In 2024, the fund was re-named the Erin Becker Emergency Fund for Visual Artists, named after CAA’s former Director Erin Becker, who served CAA for 12-years and initially launched the fund.
This fund provides grants to artists engaging in career defining opportunities – things like gallery exhibitions, publications, residencies – and will support the logistics of such opportunities. This includes covering the costs of things like framing, shipping, and travel – that often present an impediment to participation.
We anticipate issuing grants quarterly, following a simplified application process. Dependent on the size of the fund – this is where your help is needed! – grants will range from $500-1,000, with a minimum of $4000 distributed in each grant cycle.
Why is CAA launching this fund?
Over the past three years, we have received a dramatic increase in requests for shipping support, entry fee waivers, and similar kinds of financial support that is often needed at the last minute. Very few grants are readily available for these needs, and there are only a handful of programs, regionally or nationally, that provide this type of support. As an organization committed to supporting artists of all ages – and particularly emerging artists of all ages, 2023 feels like the time to launch this new kind of support for our community.
How will it be funded:
- Ten percent of every ticket sale, and 50% of all raffle ticket sales from our Spring Art Party will support the fund
- Ten percent of all Corporate Art Rental income will support the fund
- Individual donations
Who will be eligible to apply?
While CAA works to set the parameters for fund disbursement, the goal of the Emergency Fund for Artists is to support New England-based visual artists. Applicants will need to demonstrate need; the transformative impact of the project or opportunity; and cannot be affiliated with a commercial gallery or other entity that might provide similar support. Interested in applying? Click here to access the application page.
Interested in donating directly to the fund?
Thank you to our founding donors:
The Wagner Foundation
Cambridge Arts
Nancy & Kenneth Crasco
David Fogel & Jill Bradley
Hillary Rolls Kelly & Jason Kelly
Holly & Ned Larner
Deb & Ron Peeples
Margaret & John Sheldon
All donations are 100% tax deductible. The Cambridge Art Association is a 501c3 charitable organization (04-2382611).
Image in header courtesy of Jess Lawrence