Emergency Assistance

Membership benefits in Actors Equity Association include health insurance, pension benefits, and casting news. Members also have access to services through the Actors Federal Credit Union and the Actors Fund.

An early purpose of The Actors' Fund was to pay for proper burials, and this tradition of service to the entertainment community continues. Since 1904, when The Fund purchased hundreds of cemetery plots in Brooklyn and Valhalla, New York, it has provided resting grounds for thousands of entertainment professionals.

Through the Musicians Assistance Program (MAP), an Actors' Fund social worker is situated in the offices of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 in New York City. The MAP program provides help with a broad range of concerns including health, mental health, chemical dependency, housing, family and child care services. In addition this program offers a broad range of referrals and workshops tailored to the interests and needs of members of the music industry.

With over 250 local unions throughout the United States and Canada, the union is the largest in the world representing the interests of the professional musician.

Membership in AGMA includes such benefits as accident insurance, health benefits, legal services, mortgages, pension, loans and the AGMA Emergency Relief Fund administered by the Actors Fund. AGMA represents opera and concert singers, production personnel and dancers at principal opera, and concert and dance companies.

240 pp, paperback.

Published annually, provides a comprehensive professional resource guide for artists, ranging from healthcare and emergency services, to employment and business development resources. Available online in PDF. http://www.artisttrust.org/4artists/information/assets/default.html

On-line listing of opportunities for artists.

Interest-free loans to professional published authors and produced playwrights in need because of illness, misfortune, or other temporary emergency. The fund does not, and cannot, provide grants-in-aid or other long-range career assistance. Telephone, letter, or email.

After an initial on-site or telephone intake interview, dancers who meet CTFD's eligibility guidelines can make appointments with one of CTFD's Career Counselors. This individualized service enables the organization to provide highly personalized guidance that recognizes the uniqueness of each dancer. Recognizing that transition is an individual process, services are offered on an open-ended, as needed basis to fit each dancer's needs, style, and pace in making a transition.

CERF can offer booth fee reductions or waivers for select shows to qualifying CERF beneficiaries.

CERF offers beneficiaries discounts on and/or donations of craft-related supplies and equipment. CERF can broker this assistance directly with suppliers, manufacturers and others.

CERF's Phoenix Loan is used by craftspeople to re-establish, improve, or possibly expand their crafts making capacity. Phoenix Loans range from $3,500 to $8,000. No interest will be charged. Phoenix Loans must be repaid within 5 years.

CERF's Quick Loan is designed to provide immediate help to craftspeople who want to maintain or re-establish their crafts making capacity after career-threatening emergencies. The maximum Quick Loan is $3,500 and no interest is charged. Quick Loans must be repaid within 5 years.

Online resource links for insurance, emergency preparedness, professional resources, and emergency assistance programs for artists.

Music Maker provides quality instruments and maintenance funds to recipient musicians who must be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older and have an annual income less than $18,000.

Provides funding and services to musicians wishing to tour and record. Recipient musicians must be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older and have an annual income less than $18,000.