Creative Response will provide grants of up to $2,000 for the creative community beginning in mid-April. Applicants must have lived and worked in the greater New Orleans area for at least 12 months and need funds to cover living expenses such as food, housing, utilities, medical costs or family care.

The emergency relief fund has been created for New Orleans artists, culture bearers, filmmakers, painters, performers, photographers, sculptors and writers affected by the economic downturn due to COVID-19.

The fund was established by Antenna, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Junebug Productions and The Weavers Fellowship.

According to a CityBusiness report: “While there would never be a welcome moment for such a crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the city of New Orleans during the busiest time of the year for local economic activity in the arts—during festival season—and thus has hit local creators at a particularly vulnerable moment,” said Bob Snead, Antenna executive director. “As a result, this rapid response initiative is designed to provide direct economic support and opportunities to creators including grants and gig-work, alongside the distribution of art and activity kits for young people to do while they are at home in the midst of the crisis, all while aiming to be an outlet and source of inspiration—reminding us all of the resiliency of the creative spirit.”

Creative Response is also distributing 800 art and activity kits at public schools and community centers every Wednesday until the city’s stay-at-home order is lifted, a news release said.

To learn more and to apply, visit the website.