In Case You Missed It! You May be Eligible for Emergency Grants through NYFA and Rauschenberg Foundation

Two emergency grant programs underscore the continued need to support artists in uncertain times.

Since 2020, NYFA and the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation have partnered to offer grants to artists nationwide facing unexpected and/or dire financial emergencies. To date, nearly $7M in emergency grants have been awarded to 1,770 artists in states and territories including Georgia, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

We are grateful to the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation for offering this support through two programs–the Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants (RMEG) and Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants (RDEG)–that honor the legacy of Change, Inc., a non-profit foundation Rauschenberg established in 1970 to assist professional artists of all disciplines in need.

Said Rauschenberg: “Artists have always been the first to respond, worldwide, to the needs of others, whether it be earthquakes, starving children, sinking Venice, or political atrocities.”

See below for more on each program as well as the dates for upcoming cycles. Please note, these programs are very competitive, and an application is not a guarantee of support.

Steven Molina Contreras in an art studio setting — Image Detail: Steven Molina Contreras (Fellow in Photography ’25) during his artist residency at the Center for Photography in Woodstock, Courtesy of the Artist

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants (RMEG)

Emergency Grant
$5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies.

Eligibility
Artists 21+ who are in financial need who areworking in the visual arts, film/video, electronic/digital arts, and choreography. Applicants must reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, a Tribal Nation, or a U.S. Territory and be able to show recent and sustained artistic activity.

Recent and sustained artistic activity is defined as activity over the course of at least the last five years, since 2021, with multiple opportunities for the public to experience your work during this time (at least one opportunity annually).

Your average adjusted gross income for the last two years you’ve filed tax returns must be no greater than $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers).

Please click here for full details, including eligibility criteria.

Watch our pre-recorded information session here.

“The Rauschenberg grant is a lifeline for artists like myself who’ve been living on the edge unprepared for a health crisis. I first received a Change Inc. grant back in 1990 when I lived in NYC and was facing eviction. A handwritten check with Robert Rauschenberg’s signature arrived and rescued me 34 years ago. I must thank the trustees who carry on his legacy of philanthropy to support artists. ” -John de Fazio, Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Recipient

Future RMEG Cycles

Cycle 36

Opened: April 14, 2026
Closes: May 12, 2026 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: June 29, 2026

Cycle 36 is for emergencies occurring October 1, 2025 and later.

Cycle 37

Opens: June 16, 2026 10:00 AM ET
Closes: July 14, 2026 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: September 7

Cycle 37 is for emergencies occurring December 1, 2025 and later.

Cycle 38

Opens: August 18, 2026 10:00 AM ET

Closes: September 15, 2026 5:00 PM ET

Applicants Notified: November 9

Cycle 38 is for emergencies occurring February 1, 2026 and later.

Cycle 39

Opens: October 20, 2026 10:00 AM ET
Closes: November 17, 2026 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: December 23

Cycle 39 is for emergencies occurring April 1, 2026 and later.

Five dancers wearing outfits that are navy blue, grey, dark purple and green throw their arms up in the air at various angles. They create a circle together and are md-step; their energy is celebratory and uplifting. They are dancing on the green astro-turf of a public atrium with beams of sunshine streaming though the glass windows surrounding them. — Image Detail: Ephrat Asherie (Fellow in Choreography ’25); “Riff this, Riff that;” 2016; Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grants (RDEG)

Emergency Grant

Up to $3,000 to professional dancers facing dire financial emergencies, due to the loss or lack of recent/current live performance work, because of circumstances outside of their control.

“Dire financial emergencies“ include the lack or imminent endangerment of essentials such as housing, medicine/healthcare, utilities, and food.

Eligibility

Professional dancers 21+ who reside in the United States, the District of Columbia, a Tribal Nation, or a U.S. Territory and are able to show recent and sustained artistic activity.

You need to have been working as a paid, live dance performer for at least the last five years (since 2021), in any stage/performance style, including aerial, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern, tap and traditional/folk.

Your average adjusted gross income for the last two years you’ve filed tax returns must be no greater than $80,000 ($160,000 for joint filers).

Please click here for full details, including eligibility criteria.

Watch our pre-recorded information session here.

“Thank you again, this grant means more than I can express in words. It will truly help me get back on my feet and back to making and performing my work. I’m so grateful.” – Kate Jewett, Rauschenberg Dancer Emergency Grant Recipient

Future RDEG Cycles

Cycle 24:

Opens: Tuesday, April 21, 10:00 AM ET
Closes: Tuesday, May 19, 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: June 26, 2026

Cycle 25:

Opens: July 7, 2026 10:00 AM ET
Closes: August 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: September 11, 2026

Cycle 26:

Opens: September 8, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
Closes: October 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: November 13, 2026

Cycle 27:

Opens: November 11, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
Closes: December 8, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Applicants Notified: January 15, 2027

Find out about additional awards and grants here. Sign up for our free bi-weekly newsletter to receive announcements about future NYFA events and programs.