The Newport Festivals Foundation is stepping up to help artists affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation, which runs both the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals, revealed today the launch of the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund.
In order to qualify, an artist just needs to show lost income due to cancelled/postponed gigs because of coronavirus, with an emphasis on Rhode Island locals, and those who would play either of their events.
MUSICIAN RELIEF FUND! @newportfestsorg has established the Newport Festivals Musician Relief Fund (#folkfamilyrelief) to provide financial relief to musicians in our Folk & Jazz communities experiencing lost income as a result of COVID-19. Learn more: https://t.co/UZb9vamlXM pic.twitter.com/OrGCMFyJeD
— Newport Folk Fest (@Newportfolkfest) March 30, 2020
“It is with utmost hope that the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festivals will go on this summer, but in the meantime we feel the call to do more,” said event producer Jay Sweet in a press statement. “We are in a unique position with our foundation, where we can go above and beyond and help provide support for our musicians community while other tours and festivals are cancelling due to COVID-19. I want to be clear, this is not a fundraiser, these are funds that our Festivals Foundation already allocates to annual giving. In this dark time, we feel blessed to be able to provide some small comfort for those whose songs carry us through each day.”
Submissions are confidential, with grants coming in two options: one-time micro-grants of $300 or less for immediate financial needs, and a one-time full grant that’s over $300. All grants are distributed by check, as they can’t utilize PayPal. Get more details and find an application here.
