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Equitas Health, Crane Group Gifts Reopen COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Artists Grants

in Press Releases April 17, 2020 2 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Greater Columbus Arts Council’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Artists program is now reopened for a third round of grants of up to $850 per artist thanks to a $25,000 gift from Equitas Health.

“For over 30 years, Columbus’ arts community has stood by Equitas Health, donating artwork to our Art for Life fundraiser and raising millions of dollars for our mission,” said Bill Hardy, president and CEO of Equitas Health. “During these uncertain times, Equitas Health stands by artists in their time of need. We’re all in this together.”

A matching grant challenge and gift from the Crane Group for $22,500 was the other major donation enabling the third round of grants. Additional financial support from other corporate and community donors and incredible individual generosity helped make this third round of grants possible. Funding for the grants is also supported by The Columbus Foundation Emergency Relief Fund and The Columbus Foundation Arts Innovation Prize Fund, Nick Akins, Huntington, IGS, Lee Shackelford Family Fund and Bank of America. One hundred percent of donations to the fund go directly to artists.

Since the effort began on March 19, the effort has raised $172,295 from the Columbus community to supplement the Arts Council’s initial $150,000 commitment. To date 283 artists have been awarded $218,230 for wages lost due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Artists program is designed to assist artists of all disciplines living in Franklin County with the financial impacts of COVID-19, including:

  • Recouping financial loss due to cancelled events, including performances, paid speaking engagements, readings, exhibitions and festival/fairs.
  • Offsetting loss of income for teaching artists who are not able to teach during this time due to cancelled lessons/classes and school closures.

Artists are eligible to request up to $850, with priority being given to those with the direst needs of shelter, food and other essentials. Applications are now open with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 21. Grants will be reviewed and awarded by Friday, Apr. 24. For full program details please visit the COVID-19 Emergency Relief for Artists Guidelines.

The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council.

Equitas Health is a regional nonprofit community healthcare system. A federally-designated Community Health Center, it is one of the largest LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS serving healthcare organizations in the United States. Art for Life is a biennial art auction, created in 1989, that has helped raise awareness and approximately $6 million in funding for medical care, prevention, pharmacy, education, testing and advocacy services.

Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org

For translations of this release and other pages, please see the dropdown menu at the top right corner of gcac.org.

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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org