Earlier this year, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County raised more than $45,000 through its crowd-sourced Palm Beach County Artist Relief Fund to help local creative professionals who lost critical income due to COVID-19.

Launched in March with a goal of $10,000, the fundraiser allowed the Council to directly award small grants of $250 to individual creative professionals. This included visual artists, actors, musicians, dancers and others living in Palm Beach County.

Thanks to community members and the support of the Great Charity Challenge and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Council was able to award grants to 117 individuals between April and November.

“Palm Beach County is home to an extraordinary cultural community composed of top-notch organizations and exceptional creative professionals, and we value their enormous contributions,” said Dave Lawrence, the Council’s president & CEO. “As COVID-19 continues to affect the nation, the financial impact on this community has been profound. This prompted the Council to launch the Artist Relief Fund. Now more than ever, support for creative professionals is essential to a stronger and more vibrant community.”

“Receiving this grant is really impactful for me,” said Shani Simpson, a multidisciplinary artist based in Lake Worth. “Over the years I’ve applied for other grants, and this is the very first grant I’ve received. I want to thank the Cultural Council for seeing [an issue] that was global and for taking time to act local.” 

The Artist Relief Fund is now closed. Please continue to check our website for information on other potential funding opportunities.

Applications were reviewed and approved by Cultural Council board and staff members, with a goal to fund as many creative professionals as possible. As of November 20, 2020, the Council has awarded grants to the following individuals: