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General Information

We’re excited to announce the second round of the Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Fund—a  program, administered by Earshot Jazz, that will provide direct financial relief to individual jazz artists most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the generosity of the Raynier Institute and Foundation, Earshot Jazz will be able to make 30 $1,000 gifts directly to individual artists in need.

Application deadline is Sunday, February 28, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST. Before applying please read through the all the information sections below.

Only applicants who are in the Greater Seattle area, are at least 18 years of age, and are experiencing financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19 will be considered. 

Individuals who received funding in the first round are eligible to apply again.

Understanding that today’s conditions are untenable for many populations, we realize that this fund is limited in scope. However, we are sincerely grateful to the Raynier Institute and Foundation for their generosity and making this emergency support program possible for Seattle jazz artists.

For questions, please email help@earshot.org.

Criteria

The application form will ask you to:

A) Describe financial hardship or need through a combination of multiple-choice questions and narrative response. Applicants should demonstrate a pressing need for support. We are aware that each artist’s needs differ so we ask that you thoroughly and accurately describe your situation.

B) Demonstrate an active career in jazz as detailed in an artist statement, website, or online presence.

C) Provide demographic information. This information will help the selection panel better understand and review applications through an intersectional equity lens. Artists from the following communities are encouraged to apply: Black, Indigenous, People of Color, transgender, disabled, or immunocompromised, and those residing in rural areas. We will accept applications from any jazz artist that meets the eligibility criteria, but will be giving preference to those in these structurally disadvantaged communities.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be able to answer “True” to the prompts listed below:   

  • I am a practicing jazz artist able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to my artistic career, to making work, and to generating dialogue with a public audience
  • I am experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • I am 18 years of age or older
  • I can provide a W9 and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • I am a resident of either King, Snohomish, Pierce, or Kitsap County
  • I have been living and working in the U.S. for the last two years
  • I am not an employee, board member, director, officer, or immediate family member of Earshot Jazz
Timeline

Applications open Monday, February 1, 2021.

All applicants will be notified that their application for the Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Fund has been received.

Application closes , Sunday February 28, 2021, at 5:00 PM PST.

Awardees notified via email by early March, 2021. Funds delivered as soon as possible following notification.

FAQ

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF JAZZ ARTIST?
We have an expansive definition of the practice of jazz music and its art form. In addition to more traditional forms such as gigging musicians, recording artists, jazz educators or artists whose practices are firmly rooted in jazz dance, theatre, or feature filmmaking in the industry, we are also open to applications from artists practicing improv, performance art, and social practice.

WHY IS THE GRANT EXCLUSIVE TO JAZZ ARTISTS?
The Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Fund serves to specifically fill a need for musicians and artists working to ensure the legacy and progression of jazz. Jazz as an art form is widely embraced and highly valued as America’s great gift to world culture. This emergency fund is in line with Earshot Jazz’s mission to cultivate a vibrant jazz community and core values of Respecting Artists, Prioritizing Accessibility, Pursuing Collaboration, Championing Education, Honoring Diversity and Nurturing Creativity. 

HOW DO I DETERMINE IF I MEET THE FINANCIAL NEED REQUIREMENTS?
Eligibility is based on an applicant’s self-determination of need. We do not require proof of loss of income, cancellations, etc. We will ask applicants to identify their financial need via multiple-choice questions. They will also have the option to describe their need in more detail.

Relief aid is meant to serve those most vulnerable who are currently unable to afford essential costs of living, such as food, rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, healthcare, prescriptions, caregiving, and childcare. 

DO THE GRANT AMOUNTS FLUCTUATE? CAN APPLICANTS REQUEST MORE OR LESS THAN $1,000?
No. All awardees will receive $1,000. 

WHAT IS THE EVALUATION PROCESS?
The evaluation process will take place in three phases:
1) Eligibility Confirmation: The first phase will be conducted by Earshot Jazz staff to confirm applicants’ eligibility. (See eligibility.)
2) 
Need Assessment: All qualifying applicants will be reviewed by an anonymous panel. Panelists will be asked to assign 1–3 points per application based on an applicant’s self-identified need and described circumstances.
3) Ranking: Applicant scores will be totaled. The highest scores reflecting the highest-demonstrated need.

WHO IS ON THE REVIEW PANEL?
Panelist names will remain confidential. Panel will be a maximum of five persons. Panel to include Seattle-based arts administrators and artists.

WILL GRANT RECIPIENT NAMES BE PUBLICIZED?
No, all awardees’ names will be kept confidential and will not be publicized by Earshot Jazz.

WILL THERE BE ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLICATIONS OR DISTRIBUTION OF MORE FUNDS?
In 2021, we have a finite budget, operating with the generosity and support of Raynier Institute and Foundation that will cover awards as well as assist with costs of operating the program. We hope to secure additional funds through other channels that will allow Earshot Jazz to make more Emergency Relief Grants available in the future.

I RECEIVED FUNDING IN THE FIRST ROUND, CAN I APPLY AGAIN?
Yes, individuals who received funding in the first round, are eligible to apply again.

Application

If eligible, you can apply below. You will be filling out a Google Form application. This is a simple process that should take about 10 minutes of time. 

  • You will not be required to sign in. 
  • Only one application will be accepted per person.
  • You will not be able to edit your application after you submit it.
  • Responses that exceed the word limit will only be considered up to the max word limit. 

For questions related to eligibility, application, selection process, and disbursement, please review the information provided on this web page. For all other inquiries, email help@earshot.org but kindly expect a delay in response due to volume and capacity.

APPLY HERE

Other Resources

Recommended resource guides for additional local and national artist assistance

Jazz Foundation of America: COVID-19 Musician’s Emergency Fund

Seattle REP: Local assistance grants for artists, freelancers, and organizers

Creative Capitol: Extensive list of national grants and online workshops, regularly updated

ArtistRelief.org: Resources, information, and tips, including Artist Wellness Care

LANGSTON: Relief Fund SARF, updates, and additional funds and services

Northwest Folk Life: Community-compiled list of resources for financial assistance, mutual aid and advocacy, and informational support

 EARSHOT JAZZ COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Earshot Jazz recognizes our local partners who share the Seattle Jazz Artist Relief Fund opportunity with artists in their communities. Thank you to our friends and colleagues at Raynier Institute & Foundation, Rainier Avenue Radio, Seattle Art Museum, LANGSTON, and Town Hall Seattle.