New relief fund for artist victims of WTC attack - Front Page - New York Foundation for the Arts/September 11th, 2002 - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

The New York Foundation for the Arts has spearheaded the establishment of the New York Arts Recovery Fund to provide monetary relief to artists and arts organizations in Lower Manhattan affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. With startup gifts of $350,000 from the Rockefeller Foundation and $250,000 from the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the fund focuses first on artists living and working below Canal Street, and then on those below 14th Street.

In past years, NYFA has received grant applications from some 2,200 artists living below 14th Street, with about 700 of those located below Canal. Of course, the actual number of artists living in the area is much higher. NYFA is working with other city and state agencies to get an accurate count.

In addition to the 15 artists who had studio space in the World Trade Center as participants in the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's World Views program (it's estimated that as a group they lost around $200,000 in materials and equipment, and as much as $650,000 in art work), hundreds of artists in the surrounding area are believed to have collectively incurred about $5 million in clean-up expenses. Other artists have lost income because of cancelled performances or exhibitions, and are expected to lose future income due to a decline in public arts funding, as well as a decline in the number of works sold.

All affected artists are encouraged to apply. Cash grants will be made on an as-needed basis. NYFA and other partner organizations will provide information on existing government and private resources available to artists and groups. The foundation published two books in mid-December that list such grant-making organizations--An Artist's Guide to September 11 Relief Efforts and A Non-Profit's Guide to September 11 Relief Efforts.

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