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A List of Resources and How to Support Artists and Art Workers Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires

Annabel Keenan
Jan 10, 2025 10:03PM

Photo by AP Photo/John Locher. © 2025 The Associated Press.

With over 10,000 structures lost and 10 lives tragically claimed thus far, the Los Angeles wildfires this week are among the most devastating in the city’s history. Among those affected are countless artists and art workers who have seen their homes, studios, and businesses destroyed. Fires continue to burn, the risk of damage still remains, and many are still unsure of the state of the neighborhoods they’ll return to.

As the city looks to rebuild, several mutual aid programs, fundraising accounts, and supply-donation sites have surfaced to assist the Los Angeles art world. Below is an ongoing list. If you have resources or relief efforts to add, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line “LA wildfire resources.”

Mutual aid for the art world

  • The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant: Provides emergency, need-based financial support to painters, sculptors, and printmakers who have experienced catastrophic, unforeseen events. To qualify, applicants “must be able to demonstrate a minimum involvement of ten years in a mature phase of his or her work.” Deadline is ongoing and the average grant awarded is $5,000 with a maximum of $15,000.
  • LA Art World Fire Relief: A mutual aid fund launched on GoFundMe by artists and art workers with the initial goal of raising $500,000. The funds will be distributed to artists and art workers who have experienced full loss or severe damage to their home, studio, or crucial personal property. Individuals in need of assistance should fill out this form. Those who are able to offer mutual aid (temporary housing, clothing, legal aid etc.) and would like to do so can fill out this form.
  • CERF+ Craft Emergency Relief Fund: Open to craft artists ages 18 and up, this emergency relief fund provides $3,000 for those who have experienced a “substantially disruptive emergency or disaster.” The fund accepts applications on a rolling basis and has recently issued a statement welcoming those affected by the Los Angeles fires to apply.
  • Rauschenberg Emergency Medical Grants for Artists: Provides need-based grants to artists who have experienced unexpected mental health, medical, or dental emergencies. The grant is open to artists in the visual arts, choreography, and an expansive category called “film/video/electronic/digital arts.” Eligible applicants cannot have earned more than $75,000 average gross income for their last two tax filings, or $150,000 for joint filers. Application closes Tuesday, January 14 at 5:00 PM ET.
  • Artists’ Fellowship, Inc.: Provides financial assistance to visual artists and their families experiencing an unexpected emergency situation, natural disaster, disability, bereavement, or extreme hardship. The aid is open to active visual artists who can demonstrate that their livelihood is funded through the sale of artworks, including painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, installation, photography, and mixed-media. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Artist Material Exchange: A crowdsourced, ongoing document for artists to list materials they have available, as well as materials needed.
  • Art supply donations: Artist Adam Alessi is accepting donations of art supplies and coordinating to get those supplies to affected artists.
  • Rebuilding Creativity: Direct Fire Relief for LA Artists: This initiative is providing space for artists make work, process grief, and find community. It will culminate in a benefit exhibition with proceeds going to artists and others affected by the fires.

General aid resources

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Individuals affected by the Los Angeles fires can apply for FEMA aid, which can include financial support, as well as supplies, such as food, water, and medication. Funds are also available for immediate support, including for hotel stays. Several restrictions apply, which are listed on the application.
  • LA Fire Mutual Aid Resource Hub: An ongoing list of mutual aid resources.
  • Mutual Aid Los Angeles (MALAN): An ongoing list of mutual aid resources and ways to volunteer or donate.
  • Fire Aid Match Program: A peer-to-peer aid initiative that matches donors with applicants to directly disperse clothing and essential items, thus eliminating the need for a donation center.

Where to donate items

  • Families Forward Learning Center: This Pasadena charity gives direct donations to local families in need. Items needed include bottled water, household items (laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, toiletries), diapers (mainly size 5 and 6), wipes, gas gift cards, fast food gift cards, and grocery gift cards. 980 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103
  • Immersive Art Collective: Providing temporary storage for salvaged artworks and instruments and collecting essential amenities. Accepting donations of plastic sheets, boxes, blue tape, non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene products, and pet supplies. 1035 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
  • Make Room: Collecting essential items—including N95 masks, flashlights, batteries, camping supplies, towels, toiletries, phone chargers, and first aid kits—as well as art supplies. 6361 Waring Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • Superchief Gallery LA: Collecting supplies and essential items for fire victims, as well as art supplies to be given directly to artists. 1965 S Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011
  • Thinkspace Projects: Collecting a wide range of supplies to be donated to the Red Cross Los Angeles. The gallery is also distributing N95 masks while supplies last. 4217 and 4207 W. Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Fundraisers for individual artists and institutions

Sites for free general supplies

  • Babyletto: Offering free cribs to anyone who has lost their homes or is impacted by the fires.
  • +COOP: Free new and gently used supplies and clothing available for pickup through Sunday. The store is also accepting donations of supplies and clothes.
Annabel Keenan
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