Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant — emergency grant of up to $15,000 for international artists
Sometimes an artist does not need the opportunity to realise a new project, but rather support that will simply enable them to continue working. The loss of housing, a fire, urgent medical care or another sudden crisis can bring an artistic practice to a complete standstill — especially if there is no stable financial or institutional support available. It is precisely for such circumstances that the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant programme was established.
The foundation provides one-off emergency financial assistance of up to $15,000 to international artists, although the most typical grant amount is around $5,000. Unlike most arts grants, the programme is not aimed at creating an exhibition, residency or new project, but at situations where an artist urgently needs funds for safety, accommodation, medical treatment or recovery following a crisis.
Who is eligible for the programme
Applications are open to artists working in the fields of painting, sculpture and printmaking. One of the key requirements is a minimum of 10 years’ professional artistic practice and a mature stage of creative development. The foundation specifically emphasises that maturity is determined not by the applicant’s age, but by the consistency of their artistic practice, their level of technical and intellectual development, and their long-term commitment to art.
The programme is open to both US-based and international artists. US citizenship or a residence permit is not required, making the grant one of the relatively rare forms of international emergency support available to artists.
What situations are considered
The Fund specifically supports sudden and critical circumstances that have a direct impact on an artist’s life. Examples cited by the Fund include fires, floods, natural disasters, urgent medical expenses, the loss of basic safety conditions, and other emergencies requiring immediate assistance.
At the same time, the programme specifically emphasises that the grant is not intended for debts, chronic financial difficulties, unemployment, major home repairs or long-term domestic problems. Furthermore, the fund does not finance dental treatment, art projects, exhibitions, installations or the production of new works. This is a key principle of the programme: the fund specifically addresses emergency crises, rather than general financial difficulties.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online via the Foundation’s system. Once you have registered an account, you must select the “Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant” programme and complete the application form. Processing usually takes around 4–6 weeks after receipt of the full application package; however, in particularly urgent cases, the Foundation may review applications much more quickly — sometimes within 24–48 hours.
The fund may also contact professional referees, doctors, solicitors or other specialists if this is necessary to better understand the applicant’s situation and the circumstances of the crisis.
What to bear in mind before applying
The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Fund is regarded as one of the few international programmes that has, for many years, consistently supported artists specifically in times of personal crisis, rather than through exhibition or project-based formats.
The programme has a limited annual budget, and each application is considered on a case-by-case basis. Submitting an application does not guarantee funding, even if the situation meets the foundation’s criteria. That said, the application form itself is not overly complicated — it is far more important to clearly explain the circumstances of the crisis, demonstrate a professional artistic practice, and show why support is needed right now.
For artists working independently and lacking stable financial security, such programmes often represent one of the few opportunities to secure international support without being tied to exhibitions, open calls or the production of a new project. This is particularly true during times of crisis, when the speed of processing, the fund’s flexibility and the opportunity to receive assistance outside the standard competitive system are crucial.
