From closed venues to postponed tours, the impact of Covid-19 has already rippled across the independent artist community. There is an unprecedented sense of uncertainty for those whose work and lives have been put on hold.
Below is a roundup of some resources that may be of help. We hope you are all safe and well as we navigate this uncertain time together.
Updated 5/12/20
1. Apply for relief funds and donate if you can
Equal Sound – for those who have had a gig canceled
Musicians Foundation – CV19 Emergency Aid Grant Program to be announced
Grammy’s MusiCares – for those employed in the music industry
Freelance Co-op – for those freelancing
Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief – for artists, songwriters, and more in significant financial need
#MusicUnited – apply for assistance through a peer-to-peer giving network
2. Reach out to fans and exchange your services/goods
Printful – set up automatic order fulfillment for merch
BeatStars / TrakTrain – make a beat and sell it on the marketplace
SoundBetter – find your next mixer, producer, and collaborator
Missed Tour – list merch here to make up lost revenue from a cancelled or shortened tour
3. Host or attend virtual events
Twitch – popular streaming site, allows for in-stream donations, with special consideration for SoundCloud artists who sign up
Instagram Live – go live with your fans right from IG
YouTube Livestreaming – stream live from YouTube
Sessionwire – host live recording and mixing sessions with this online, collaborative studio program
For more tools and a calendar of upcoming events, see music writer Cherie Hu’s comprehensive resource and CNET’s rolling guide to virtual concerts.
4. When in doubt, reach out
If your community isn’t represented above, consider organizing with local artists to build support infrastructure — such as relief funds, mutual aid networks, or virtual concert bills.
Be sure to vocalize your concerns and advocate for other artists by contacting your local/regional lawmakers and governments.
For further support, visit the COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources database.