Covid-19 Support
In these challenging times there is a wealth of support available online. We’ve assembled some links that we hope you’ll find helpful.
The situation and the help available is constantly changing. These links were active as of May 2021 and we will work to ensure the list remains up to date. If you have trouble with any of the links or would like to share something that we’ve missed, please let us know here
Please note that CHAOS is not affiliated with any of these websites and so cannot be held accountable for any of the content held within.
Coronavirus info from the government
Accesible resources about COVID-19
COVID Mutual Aid Locally organised support groups
Arts Council England Support, guidance and funding
Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance Coronavirus resources for practitioners and organisations
Shape Arts Resources for disabled artists and freelancers in response to COVID-19
Leapers advice for self-employed workers
Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed Coronavirus: what IPSE is doing and advice for freelancers and the self-employed
Money Saving Expert Coronavirus Self-Employed & Small Limited Company Help
Money AdviceService This guide looks at how you can best manage your money, what help is available from your account providers and what to think about if you might need to borrow money.
HMRC helpline for self-employed people and small businesses
0300 456 3565 or 0800 0159 559
StepChange What to do if you need emergency help paying for food and bills
Money Advice Service: Universal Credit for the Self Employed
Independent and impartial advice.
CAB advice for people struggling with living costs
Shelter Housing advice: coronavirus. Includes information and help on Eviction, Rent payment problems, Benefits and other financial help, Moving home, Mortgage arrears and repossession, Landlord access to your home
UK Banks Coronavirus Support Pages
The Royal Variety Charity The Royal Variety Charity assists those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry and are in need of help.
Action for Children’s Arts Covid-19 – emergency funding for freelancers and small organisations
Trussell Trust: Find a Food Bank
Turn2Us List of grants for individuals, searchable by location
Mind A support page on wellbeing during COVID-19
ArtsMinds Set up to support people in the creative industries
Music Minds Matter If you work in music and are struggling to cope, or know someone who is, talk to us.
Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety Resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertainty.
SOLT microsite Support for theatre professionals during Coronavirus
UK Theatre Wellbeing and COVID-19
Acting for Others Advises people to get in touch if you are a theatre worker that has been affected by Covid-19 for more information about how they can support.
Theatre Industry Corona Virus Facebook Group – A group dedicated to the Performing Arts industry to share news, tips, advice or anything helpful to do with the Corona Virus and how it is effecting you/your business
Funding and grants
Equity Charitable Trust (Actors) – Grants for professionals eligible for an equity card, although it isn’t necessary to have one.
Actors Benevolent Fund Are offering emergency grants in response to the pandemic.
Dance Fund UK Financial grants to dance professionals of all ages. Grants due to illness or injury, support for everyday living costs or crisis funding for the unexpected.
Live Events PSA Stagehand Welfare and Benevolent Fund Depending on your circumstances, Stagehand may be able to offer you a small grant to help tide you over, or to help with re-training.
Directors Support Scheme Grants of around £500 for Directors in acute need
The Theatrical Guild for backstage and front of house workers – financial help, counselling, welfare advice and signposting
Theatre Community Fund Grants of up to £3000 for hardship, in partnership with the Fleabag Support Fund, or for creative and innovation. Applications for hardship grants will open monthly for five days at the start of each month.
a-n Artist Information Company a-n the Artists Information Company is widely acknowledged to be the leading UK agency for supporting artists’ practice.
ArtQuest ArtQuest provides a comprehensive advice and information service to London’s visual arts professionals at all stages of their careers. Covering all areas of practice.
Visit www.artquest.org.uk/project/covid-19-coronavirus/ for Art Quest’s COVID-19 hub.
Axis Arts Axis provides a unique information resource for arts professionals and enthusiasts to research, commission and engage with contemporary artists.
Visual Art South West (VASW) Visual Art South West (VASW) working towards a South West where talented artists thrive, and a resilient and connected visual arts ecology that inspires more engaged and diverse audiences to value and advocate for its work.
Funding and grants
The Artist General Benevolent Fund (Artists) The AGBI financially supports professional artists in need and their dependents living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland who cannot work or earn due to accident, illness or older age. Professional artists can apply for help if they have earned their living (or major part of it) from art.
The Axisweb Hardship Fund In light of the uncertainty artists face due to the coronavirus pandemic, Axis have introduced a fund to help our members facing significant financial hardship and who are unable to work, disabled, a carer, on low income or freelance.
The Eaton Fund The Eaton Fund can provide grants to artists and art students. Grants are restricted to artists and students working in the visual arts fields, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, print-making, photography, and video installations.
Help Musicians (musicians and music related roles), further COVID-19 advice can be found here
Musicians’ Union Up to date COVID-19 info
Incorporated Society of Musicians COVID-19 Advice and resources
Music Minds Matter Mental health and wellness advice
Funding and grants
PRS/ Spotify Sustaining Creativity Fund Grants to support music creators experiencing hardship
Musicians’ Union Benevolent grants available for exceptional circumstances – talk to your local office. Also offer Maternity, adoption, parental and funeral grants.
The Royal Society of Musicians The Royal Society of Musicians supports those working across the music profession whose lives have been affected by accident or illnessPRS Members’ Fund
Writers’ Guild COVID advice for writers
Funding and grants
The Society of Authors (Author’s Emergency Fund / Contingency Fund) Grant applications are open to all professional authors who are resident in the UK or British subjects – including all types of writers, illustrators, literary translators, scriptwriters, poets, journalists and others – for whom author-related activities make up a substantial amount of their annual income.
Royal Literary Fund Provides grants and pensions to writers in financial difficulty.
WGGB Welfare Fund The main focus is on emergencies and the unexpected. Grants and loans are limited to £1,000 except in exceptional circumstances.
Film and Television Charity (Film, TV and Screen)
Their emergency relief fund is currently closed (as of 10th Jan 2021) but their website still has links to a lot of advice and support
BECTU Their website offers a lot of links to advice and support
NABS (advertising and media industries) – advice and support
Museums Association Info on support, campaigns and advice from MA
Museum freelance Advice for museum freelancers during COVID-19
GEM Guidance for museum educators
Funding and grants
Creative Skills A site where you can offer your creative skills to anyone anywhere, and easily get paid. Set up during covid to support artists.
ArtRabbit Artist Opportunities A selection of international open calls and opportunities for contemporary art related competitions, prizes, exhibitions, awards, proposals, and grants for artists, writers and curators.
ArtQuest opportunities Updated daily from a huge selection of magazines, newsletters, emails, submissions and tips from artists.
Arts Job Finder Jobs listings for jobs in arts and culture from Arts Professional
Arts Jobs Online A diverse range of jobs in arts, culture and heritage via web, email and social media. @artsjobsonline Facebook
Artful Jobs Arts, museums, cultural and creative job listings for the UK
Creative Entrepreneurs Club – Job Board
Dribbbble Search graphic design jobs
Guardian Jobs