As we begin to approach the holiday season, a time when many performers would be neck-deep in concerts and practices, artists across the country are wondering what they will do to make ends meet this winter. The money from the CARES Act has run out, and musicians who would otherwise have made the bulk of their income in the next two months are struggling. If this sounds like you, the New England Musicians Relief Fund (NEMRF) has some good news.

This fund, started in 2020 by musicians who recognized the hardship the pandemic has caused for them, aims to distribute $200,000 to New England musicians in need in time for the holidays. Artists can apply here for an individual $1,000 grant, which is open to people from New England and New York’s Upper Hudson Valley.

Hazel Dean Davis, horn player and one of the founders of NEMRF, said that “without assistance, some musicians will leave the industry, which could devastate our once-vibrant New England arts scene. Helping musicians today is an investment in the quality of life we all hope to return to.” She also shared that NEMRF will be around for longer than the pandemic--they hope to keep the fund open to musicians even after the return to “normalcy,” providing money for musicians who have emergencies, lost instruments, car accidents, and more.

If you are interested in contributing to NEMRF, you can make a tax-deductible donation here. To find out more, you can check out their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Text by Kaitlyn Paszkiewicz

Images from NEMRF website

NEMRF to Distribute $200,000 in Musician Relief Funds