This economic relief program will support about 130 San Francisco artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that a new, guaranteed income pilot program has launched in partnership with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA). The program will give monthly income payments of $1000 to eligible artists for 6 months starting in May 2021.
YBCA is now accepting applications through April 15. An artist is defined as “someone who actively engages with the community through music, dance, creative writing, visual art, performance art, installation, photography, theater, or film.” The program includes “teaching artists, arts educators, and culturally-based craft workers” as well.
“From the first day the pandemic arrived in San Francisco, we knew that this health crisis would impact artists, and artists of color in particular,” said Mayor Breed. “Our artists make San Francisco special, and bring so much life and energy to our city. The arts are critical to our local economy and are an essential part of our long-term recovery. If we help the arts recover, the arts will help San Francisco recover. This new program is an innovative effort to help our creative sector get through this challenging time, and come back even stronger and more resilient than before.”
Now accepting applications for our new guaranteed income pilot program for artists in San Francisco!
$1,000/month for six months for more than 100 eligible artists.
Learn more about the program and apply by April 15: https://t.co/WgrFfdSX1y pic.twitter.com/MuVZoC45c4
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 25, 2021
Guaranteed income programs send steady, predictable cash payments for people to spend as they wish. This pilot program has been organized by the Office of Racial Equity at the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, YBCA, and Grants for the Arts and the San Francisco Arts Commission. Other guaranteed income programs in San Francisco benefit people in EMT training, Black and Pacific Islander expecting mothers, and members of the city’s Black community.
If you’re a local artist who’s dealt with financial hardship during the pandemic, be sure to apply here before April 15 for a chance to benefit from this guaranteed income pilot program.
[Featured Image: @streetpixel via Instagram]