This trans- and queer- affirming emergency fund will support Western MA BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) women, nonbinary, and genderqueer musicians* who already face economic, medical, equity barriers and systemic oppression in their line of independent, gig-based work. The COVID-19 outbreak has rendered many musicans unemployed for the foreseeable future. This relief fund is set up to offer financial relief for housing, medical expenses, and sustenance during this challenging time.
Our work with live audiences is irreplaceable. While some of us may be able to transition to performing and teaching online, we know that access to internet, livestreaming equipment, health, and stable housing is not available to all. With this fund, we hope to build community solidarity and focused financial support for our brilliant, innovative, thriving women, nonbinary, genderqueer BIPOC artist community in Western Massachusetts.
The Institute for the Musical Arts (
www.ima.org), a non-profit school and music venue that supports women and girls in music, will administer grants of $500 to Western Massachusetts independent artists who need emergency funding. We are working with community partners to raise money for the fund.
Please send information about this grant to your contacts! Donations can be made via PayPal at
www.ima.org.
Our goal is to get funds to recipients ASAP. We are a small team, so please be patient as we work to respond to applications and distribute funds as they become available.
Please submit your application for funding below and we will be in touch with you soon!
*We will also accept applications from BIPOC women, nonbinary, and genderqueer music business professionals and artists who work with musicians.