HSB / ArtistRelief.org - Join us in providing direct funds to musicians in need.HSB / ArtistRelief.org - Join us in providing direct funds to musicians in need.

Musicians have given us joy and healing through the hardest times.
Now it’s our turn.
If you can help, join us by giving to musicians.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is thrilled to announce our partnership with Artist Relief with $1 million in emergency relief funds for musicians across the U.S.

As we all know too well, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the music community, with no end in sight. Thousands of live performances have been canceled, far too many have lost their income, and none of us know when things will improve. It’s challenging to live with so many unknowns.

We have been listening to colleagues in the field, and it is clear that musicians who are struggling financially are in urgent need of funds to cover basic needs and make art. That’s why we have joined forces with Artist Relief, a coalition of seven national arts funders that quickly came together after the pandemic started, and established a relief fund for artists.

This new partnership with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass offers financial resources to musicians across the country, with rapid emergency grants of $5,000. These grants help people in our communities keep putting food on their table, pay their healthcare bills, fill up gas in their van and keep a roof over their heads.

HELPING AS MANY MUSICIANS AS POSSIBLE

As expected, applications for the $5,000 emergency grants have dramatically outpaced Artist Relief’s resources. Through the generosity of many generous funders and individual donors Artist Relief has already provided $2.3 million to musicians directly. But the need continues.

With your help, we can help provide a lifeline to musicians.

If you love music, we invite you to show love to musicians by supporting Artist Relief.

Your support serves as a lifeline for those facing crisis. 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to musicians in need. If you are a musician financially impacted by COVID-19, learn more and apply here. The application is quick and easy to submit.

Supporting Bay Area’s Local American Roots Music Community

The national relief effort comes on the heels of the Hardly Strictly Music Relief Fund: Bay Area, a $1.5M charitable initiative with the goal of supporting the local Bay Area musicians and venues during this crisis.

Our partners Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Center for Cultural Innovation – two organizations with decades of experience in traditional music and funding individual artists – are administering funds to support local american roots musicians with relief grants.

With the recognition that music venues have been deeply impacted by the ongoing pandemic, we have also dedicated significant support for a select number of Bay Area venues presenting a diverse range of roots styles. This work is led by a committee that includes longtime members of the Bay Area music community, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass staff, and members of the Hellman family.

Applications for these local efforts are currently closed and funding will be announced in early October.

HARDLY STRICTLY 2020 MERCH

All net proceeds from 2020 merch sales will go to Sweet Relief’s Rex Roadie Fund, to help crew facing economic hardship.