theatreWashington has announced an expansion of the Taking Care COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, originally organized in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the sudden loss of work for professional theatermakers in Metro DC. The expansion includes an increase in the amount of the grants available to individual theater professionals and of the fundraising goal to meet those needs.
As of October 2020, more than 1,000 donors have contributed to the Fund and about 600 grants have been distributed to theater professionals. Many of the grantees—actors, designers, directors, stage managers, box-office staff, choreographers, administrators, technicians, and others—are freelance, part-time, and/or contracted short-term employees. As long as the future of full-capacity, in-person theater productions and events remains uncertain, the individual arts workers who create Washington theater will face financial hardship.
New Guidelines for Application and Individual Grants
Any theater professional who is currently residing in and who has actively worked in the Washington metropolitan area within the past two years is eligible to apply for emergency relief, including those who have received grants since March 2020. Financial assistance in the form of grants from $500 to $5,000 is now available, with the average grant estimated to be $1,500. Applications will be reviewed by the staff and Advisory Panel on a monthly basis. While this is a critical time for many in the community, theatreWashington intends that Fund will provide assistance to as many Washington theater professionals as available funds allow. Applicants will be notified and payments will be processed as quickly as possible. To apply for emergency relief, click here.
How To Support the Fund
Since March 2020, more than $340,000 has been raised from more than 1,000 generous individual and foundation donors. Currently, the Fund has more than $100,000 remaining for distribution as it continues to fundraise with a new goal of $500,000. Â Â To donate to the Taking Care COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, click here.
About theatreWashington
theatreWashington’s mission is to strengthen, represent, and support all segments of the Washington region’s professional theater community, including theater companies, artists, staff, and diverse audiences of all ages.
