Photo by Scott Rudd Productions 2020

Relief Fund

ADAA Relief Fund

In 2012 and 2013, the ADAA Relief Fund grants to galleries and arts organizations helped them recover from catastrophic damages resulting from Hurricane Sandy. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we re-affirm our commitment to protecting our cultural community when disaster hits. As such, the Relief Fund is now accepting applications from galleries and nonprofit arts organizations on a rolling basis for disaster relief grants.

Purpose of the Funding

The purpose of the ADAA Relief Fund is to provide fine art galleries and nonprofit fine arts organizations in the United States with immediate emergency financial support when they have been unable to conduct business due to disaster-related damage in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster and have limited resources to rebuild. For example, the ADAA anticipates making grants to art galleries or fine art organizations who incur dire financial need following structural damage from a natural or manmade disaster or where art galleries and nonprofit fine art organizations demonstrate severe loss or damage to their facilities due to fire, flood, explosion, earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis, acts of terrorism or other similar disasters. Historically, the majority of our discretionary grants have averaged $10,000 each.

Application Deadline: Rolling

Decision Period: Rolling

If you are a fine art gallery or a 501(c)(3) fine arts organization and wish to apply for a grant from the ADAA Relief Fund, please CLICK HERE to download our form. We will continue to make grants until all funds are disbursed. Please note that we cannot fund individuals.

The ADAA will review each application and may contact applicants for additional information. Please note that you will need to demonstrate financial hardship and/or loss due to disaster in the application process. The ADAA will evaluate applications and make determinations regarding award recipients. The ADAA will have sole discretion whether to award a grant and the amount of any grant awarded. Please email adaa@artdealers.org with questions.

Reporting and Monitoring

The ADAA is responsible for the careful stewardship of our donors’ dollars. Organizations receiving funding will be asked to periodically report on the use of any funds granted and may be subject to further monitoring.

Other Resources

On October 22nd, 2015, the Department of City Planning released a guide on Resilient Art Spaces, a how-to guide for the operators and owners of arts and cultural spaces on measures they can take before, during and after a storm to protect from storm damage and recover more quickly. The report is part of the agency’s work in West Chelsea under the Resilient Neighborhoods initiative and was developed in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency, NYC Emergency Management, NYC Department of Small Business Services, and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, download the full report HERE.