Please read: Updated criteria for 2024 funding rounds

The ARTS SOUTH DAKOTA ARTIST EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND provides short-term financial support for individual artists, culture bearers, and creative workers within South Dakota who have been impacted by an emergency. Rapid response funds of $500 are available to those who meet the criteria and qualifications below, on a first-come, first-serve basis, as funds are available. Funds do not need to be repaid. Please note: Artists may need to claim the contribution as income; please consult with your tax professional.
The catastrophic, career-threatening emergency must have taken place in the 6 months prior to your application, creating a temporary gap in your ability to create or perform, and you cannot have received funding from previous relief fund rounds in the last 24 months. The funding has no stipulation for usage, but is typically used for basic necessities such as housing, utilities, childcare, groceries, and medical costs including mental healthcare as well as replacing stolen or damaged supplies.
Due to limited funding, and to provide rapid support, the relief fund will be open to a limited number of applicants on a rolling basis (please see the timeline below for details of each opening). You will be notified of the status of your application within 10 days of submission, and checks will be issued within 20 days of your original submission. If you have concerns with access to banking, please note on your application and alternate payment methods can be discussed.

Funding for this round of the Arts South Dakota Artist Emergency Relief Fund is provided by a grant from the Bush Foundation, and generous support from an Arts South Dakota board member.

Questions?  Email Community Development Director Andrew Reinartz

Criteria / Eligibility
To be eligible for the Arts South Dakota Artist Emergency Relief Fund, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
  1. Be a working individual artist (not an organization) making an important portion of your income from arts activities / creative work (for example performing, selling work, educating, etc) in any creative discipline. Proof of artistic work is required.
  2. Are dealing with a catastrophic, career-threatening emergency having taken place in the 6 months prior to your application, which has created a temporary gap in your ability to create or perform such as:
    • Income loss from cancellations, closures, and postponements
    • Medical emergency for you or your family (physical or mental)
    • Theft
    • Natural disaster
  3. Life changes that do not qualify are:
    • Non-arts related job loss
    • Past debt accumulation
    • Purposeful life changes (quitting a job, leaving living accommodations, etc)
  4. Are a South Dakota resident
  5. Are NOT a minor (<18 years of age)
  6. Are NOT a full-time student (including college and post-secondary school)
  7. Have not received funding from this relief fund in the past 24 months prior to your application
  8. Provide a completed W9 form (fill out and attach to your application, or over the phone by appointment
Relief Fund Round Application Opening Dates
  • April 8, 2024
Timeline / Process
  • Within 10 days of receiving your application, you will receive notice of the status of your funding, or any questions that need clarifying on your application and eligibility.
  • If approved, within 20 days of receiving your application, a check for the funds will be mailed.
Next round opens April 8