Freelancer Resources For Those Affected By LA Fire
/The recent Los Angeles wildfires have brought untold devastation, disrupting lives, livelihoods, and entire communities across the city. Among those hardest hit are freelancers, often the backbone of the creative industries, many of whom now face immense challenges in the wake of this crisis. At The Producer, we stand in solidarity with our creative community, and we’re here to share vital resources and opportunities to help freelancers & those in the Creative Arts rebuild, recover, and find the support they need during these trying times.
In response to this crisis, The Producer is committed to connecting freelancers to essential resources and support systems to help them recover and move forward with resilience.
Below we are highlighting General Aid Resources, in addition to Mutual Aid for those in the Creative Arts:
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
GENERAL AID RESOURCES:
Essential Supplies & Protective Equipment: Mask Bloc LA is a community-based organization providing essential supplies like N95 masks, first aid kits, and other protective equipment to those impacted by the wildfires. Their efforts focus on ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to clean air and safety resources. You can request free masks and learn about their resources here.
Temporary housing: Airbnb is providing free, temporary housing for people who the Los Angeles wildfires have displaced. The organization has partnered with 211 LA to connect people with a free place to stay. You can request free support here.
The Kindness Hub: Is offering disaster relief resources in this Google Sheet, combined with direct community action and solutions. They are also offering a FREE Bright Harbor Application here
Action Plan: What to Do After a Fire - Bright Harbor Disaster Recovery Specialist have many resources on their website, including this clear, step-by-step action plan and in-depth guide HERE.
Recording Academy and MusiCares' Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort: For freelancers working in the music and entertainment industries, this initiative provides direct financial support to help individuals recover from wildfire-related hardships. If you or someone you know in the industry has been impacted, explore available assistance through this program here.
Los Angeles Food Policy Council: Access to food is a fundamental need, especially in times of crisis. The LA Food Policy Council’s network includes food banks, meal programs, and other resources to ensure that no one affected by the wildfires goes hungry. Learn more about their services and how to seek support here.
Mutual Aid LA Network (MALAN): This grassroots network is dedicated to providing community-based support during crises. MALAN offers a variety of resources, including financial assistance, shelter options, and volunteer support for individuals affected by the wildfires. You can access their continuously updated list of resources and learn more about how to get support here.
Free co-working, showers, & more: Kinn's space for entrepreneurs and independent workers in Venice is open to anyone looking for a place to work, shower, or connect with community. If anyone from the freelancer community needs that right now,they’re welcome to come by. Check them out here.
Brands Providing Product to Families Affected by the Fires: There is an open-source Google Sheet with free products, pick-ups and discounts. You can access the Google Sheet here
BY Bianca Mabute-Louie
CREATIVE ARTS MUTUAL AID:
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.
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency 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.
aSHE Fund: aSHE Fund is creating a database for Black Women Creatives impacted by the wildfires. The organization will provide immediate funds through sharing the database with individuals with resources.
L.A. Arts Community Fire Relief Fund: An emergency relief fund for artists and art workers across disciplines who have lost residences, studios, or livelihoods, or have been otherwise impacted. Launching with $12 million in available funding, the fund is organized by the J. Paul Getty Trust with the Hammer Museum, LACMA, MOCA, and others. Applications open on Monday, January 20th at 9 a.m. PST. Donations can be made here.
Artists’ Fellowship, Inc.: This organization 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 paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramics, installations, 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.
Rebuilding Creativity: Direct Fire Relief for LA Artists: This initiative provides space for artists to 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.
Project Phoenix: Led by a collective of art professionals, Project Phoenix Project Phoenix is a nonprofit initiative targeting wildfire relief and recovery support for the Los Angeles art community. The project offers practical resources, including a detailed Resource Fact Sheet and an Insurance Claim How-To guide, to help artists navigate wildfire recovery. It’s also organizing informational webinars to address immediate needs; publishing a directory of local and national assistance programs; and distributing funds directly to affected artists.
In times of crisis, community and compassion are our greatest strengths. Whether you’re in need of assistance or can offer support, we hope these resources serve as a bridge to recovery for freelancers affected by the LA fires. Together, we can rise above this hardship and foster a more connected, supportive community. Have other resources or suggestions? Email us at hello@theproducer.com—so we can continue supporting those in need.