Direct Cash to Artists in Need

November 17, 2022

The second image is mostly text, with 3 circles that show the portion of artists who identify in various ways. “The 2,400 Guaranteed Income for Artists participants self-identify in the following ways… 34% (816 artists) identify as caregivers, people who provide care to others who need some degree of ongoing assistance with everyday tasks on a regular or daily basis. 21% (497 artists) identify as immigrants, people whose birth country is outside the United States and who face xenophobia, detention, and deportation, among other impacts that threaten financial security. 5% (123 artists) identify as people who have had interactions with the criminal legal system as a defendant, possibly previously incarcerated, and often faced difficulties securing employment as a result.”

The third image states that “Participating artists range in age from eighteen to eighty-five years old.” It has a bar graph across the middle, with different colors depicting the percentage of artists in different age groups: “12% are 18-24 years old, 45% are 25-34 years old, 22% are 35-44 years old, 10% are 45-54 years old, 6% are 55-64 years old, and 5% are 65+ years old.”

The fourth image features five thick lines of different lengths positioned as concentric circles, depicting the percentage of artists who face challenges to financial stability. “Of the 2,400 artists receiving payments… 41% (972 artists) reported being vulnerable to a medical emergency, 55% (1,311 artists) reported that they carry unmanageable debt, 62% (1,494 artists) reported that they have no financial safety net, 56% (1,333 artists) reported they were unsure when they would make income again, and 33% (783 artists) reported that they were enrolled in public benefits.”

The fifth image states that “Guaranteed Income for Artists participants hail from 60 of New York State’s 62 counties” and is accompanied by a grayscale map of New York State showing where participating artists are geographically located. Next to the map are two half circles that illustrate that “65% (1,556 artists) are based in New York City, and 35% (844 artists) are based outside of New York City.”

The sixth image is mostly text, with 4 circles that show the portion of artists who live in different community contexts. “Participating artists self-reported their community context as follows… 71% (1,714 artists) live in Urban communities, 15% (360 artists) live in Suburban communities, 13% (304 artists) live in Rural communities, and 1% (22 artists) live in Tribal communities.”

The seventh (and final) image features a donut chart in a blue and purple color palette. Each color represents an artistic discipline. The image reads “When asked to identify up to three artistic disciplines, participants selected… 19% Visual Arts, 17% Music, 11% Theater, 11% Film, 7% Literary Arts, 6% Dance, 6% Craft, 6% Design, 5% Media Arts, 12% Other.” Each discipline is accompanied by a simple graphic icon that symbolizes that artistic practice.

Creatives Rebuild New York is excited to announce that it has begun distribution of monthly payments to 2,400 artists, culture bearers, and culture makers across New York State. A total of $43.2M will be distributed to artist participants in $1,000 monthly, no-strings-attached installments for 18 consecutive months. CRNY’s Guaranteed Income for Artists is the largest statewide guaranteed income program in the United States.

Though widely acknowledged as key drivers of the social and economic health of New York State – contributing over $126 billion to the state’s economy in 2020 alone – artists are often severely under-resourced, relying on sparse and competitive grants, fellowships, and residencies to support their practice.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the uncertainty of making a living as an artist: in 2020, New York State lost 50 percent of its performing arts jobs, and in New York City, the figure is 72 percent—more than any other industry. CRNY’s Guaranteed Income for Artists program is built on the premise that all artists are deserving of financial security—and was designed to help artists meet their basic needs.

Artists were selected through a weighted randomized process that ensured equitable geographic distribution throughout New York State and prioritized those who face systemic barriers to financial security. To learn more about Guaranteed Income for Artists distribution, and to read the full press release, please visit creativesrebuildny.org/participants/guaranteed-income-for-artists/.