Emergency Resources for Musicians

 The challenges presented by COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida are unprecedented, but we are in this together. The Preservation Hall Foundation is here to provide support and resources for local musicians and artists during this time of uncertainty. 

We have compiled a growing list of resources aimed at helping musicians recover financially from gig cancellations and the ripple effects of the pandemic and Hurricane Ida.

Grants, Assistance and Resources for Musicians

• VeteransGuide.org offers free resources and assistance, including information about dental benefits, for those who have served in the US Armed Forces.

• Visit fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ida for a comprehensive list of federal disaster assistance currently available.

• Applications are open for Musicians’ Foundation grants of up to $3,000 for musicians in serious need due to personal, medical, dental, or family crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency situation. You can apply here.

• In the wake of Hurricane Ida, MACCNO is reviving its micro-grant program for musicians and culture bearers. Stay tuned to maccno.com for updates on the application process.

• Jazz Foundation of America is accepting applications for emergency grants from musicians struggling financially. You can apply for the grant here.

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band trumpeter Branden Lewis has partnered with MACCNO to collect donations and provide microgrants to musicians in need. Contact Branden at blewistrumpet@gmail.com. Friends and family can donate here.

• MusiCares is offering grants to musicians around the country in need. Sign up for the grant here.

• Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet. You can apply for their assistance program here. 

• Musicians’ Emergency Fund is a program by the Jazz Foundation of America, assisting musicians nationwide with disaster relief, housing and food support. Begin the application process here. 

• Access a frequently updated community resource list for musicians here.

General COVID-19 Resources and Relief Programs

• Culture Aid NOLA is running free food distributions (no paperwork required) on Wednesdays at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church (1835 St. Roch Avenue) starting at 6pm and Saturdays at the Corpus Christi Church (2022 St. Bernard Ave) starting at 9am. Be sure to check cultureaidnola.org or social media at @cultureaidnola for timely updates and cancellations.

• The City of New Orleans has compiled a list of comprehensive COVID-19 and emergency resources at ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/assistance/.

• The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic has compiled an extensive list of national and local financial assistance resources. You can read through those here.

• Track your losses and document the impact of COVID-19 on your work and income. Be sure to record show cancellations, losses from ticket sales and refunds given.

• For food assistance in South Louisiana, dial 211 toll free to reach the Second Harvest Food Bank. They will connect you to the nearest food assistance programs available.

• MACCNO has compiled updated lists of housing assistance programs and food assistance for musicians in New Orleans.

• The State of Louisiana is offering a rental assistance program for unemployed residents. You can apply for the three months of assistance by calling 211 or going to lhc.la.gov/larenthelp.

• Here is the City of New Orleans’ page on COVID-19 assistance.

• Use the tools on benefitschecker.org to discover and apply for assistance with medical, food and general income needs. You can also utilize Annuity’s COVID Financial Guide, provided here.

• You can apply here for unemployment and SNAP benefits through the State of Louisiana. Click here for more information on the COVID-19 unemployment process. 

• The NAACP has compiled a growing list of COVID-19 resources here.

• United Way’s comprehensive resource page covers coronavirus FAQs and resources for those impacted. You can see the list of resources here. 

• Emergency Legal Responders have compiled a resource list pertaining to unemployment, renter’s rights and more here.

• The United Way of Southeast Louisiana has established the Hospitality Cares Pandemic Response Fund for service industry workers struggling to make ends meet. You can apply here.

• Bartenders and barbacks who need emergency financial assistance can apply for a grant from the USBG National Charity Foundation.

Performing and Teaching Remotely During Coronavirus Cancellations

• Offer video chat music lessons via Skype or Zoom for kids transitioning to home school for the semester. You can guide lessons with the help of free sheet music in the Preservation Hall Foundation’s Brass Bandbook.

• Set up a virtual tip jar using online payment sites, like Venmo, Paypal or CashApp, and be sure to link to it with any online performances you post.

• Sofa King Fest is welcoming musicians to livestream for an online music festival of sorts. Sign up to perform here.

• The Social Distancing Festival has created a calendar of live streaming events. You can submit your work to be featured here.

• Songdap is an online service which allows users to hire musicians to make custom songs. You can list your services on the site here. 

• Facebook groups for musicians can provide in-the-moment resources and community support, like the newly-formed Viral Music - Because Kindness is Contagious.