NYFA Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants

The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program is administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts with support from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Robert Rauschenberg, known for his commitment to supporting artists in crisis, established Change, Inc. in 1970 as a nonprofit to provide emergency assistance. In that spirit, this program continues his legacy by providing direct financial relief to generative artists facing sudden health-related emergencies that would otherwise jeopardize their ability to work or create. The program operates nationwide across the United States, including the District of Columbia, Tribal Nations, and U.S. Territories, and focuses on providing timely support to artists who may otherwise delay treatment or fall into debt. The grants provide up to $5,000 per recipient to cover medical, dental, or mental health emergencies that are sudden, non-chronic, and unexpected. These funds are not available for living expenses, lost wages, or treatment for other individuals besides the applying artist. Covered costs may include hospital bills, diagnostic tests, emergency dental procedures, prescriptions, and travel to appointments. Ineligible expenses include elective procedures, ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, or wellness care such as annual exams or non-emergency vision and hearing aids. Each cycle of the program disburses approximately $150,000 in total across all awards, distributed through a competitive process. To qualify, artists must meet three types of eligibility: individual, artistic, and emergency. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, reside in the United States or territories, and demonstrate financial need with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or below for individuals or $150,000 for joint filers, averaged over the last two tax years. Artistic eligibility requires that applicants be generative artists creating original work in visual arts, film, video, electronic or digital arts, or choreography, with a demonstrated record of recent and sustained practice since at least 2019, including annual public engagement opportunities. Only those with final creative control—such as choreographers or film directors—may apply. Performers, editors, screenwriters, and other collaborators are not eligible. Emergency eligibility requires that the condition occur within six months of the cycle deadline and be a one-time, urgent medical need within the United States. Applications are submitted online through Submittable. Applicants must provide personal and contact information, a description of the emergency and its impact on their creative practice, financial details including income, and supporting documentation such as invoices or provider letters. A resume or CV is required to demonstrate artistic practice and public-facing work over the past five years. Applicants may request up to $5,000 and must detail the expenses for which they seek reimbursement or support. If documentation is not immediately available, applicants may submit estimates. Proof of payment is required after funding is awarded. Applications are first screened by NYFA staff for eligibility and completeness before being reviewed by an external panel. The panel assesses applications based on demonstrated need, severity of the emergency, economic hardship, and potential impact of the award on the applicant’s ability to continue their practice. From the highest-ranked applications, a lottery system is used to allocate funding. Due to high demand and limited resources, funding is not guaranteed. Privacy is a priority, and recipients’ names are not made public. The program operates on a recurring cycle with multiple deadlines throughout the year. For example, Cycle 32 opens on August 12, 2025, and closes on September 9, 2025, with notifications on October 24, 2025, for emergencies occurring February 1, 2025, and later. Cycle 33 opens October 7, 2025, and closes November 4, 2025, with notifications on December 19, 2025, covering emergencies from April 1, 2025. Cycle 34 runs from December 9, 2025, to January 6, 2026, with results in February 2026, covering emergencies from June 1, 2025. Cycles are expected to continue on a bimonthly basis through at least June 2026. Applications must be submitted before the posted closing time, as the online form automatically shuts down after the deadline. For further questions, applicants may contact Mollie Quinlan-Hayes at emergencyfunds@nyfa.org or 212-366-6900 ext. 239. Information sessions and guidance materials are available to support applicants. NYFA strongly encourages applications from artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists, artists with disabilities, and those living outside New York City. The program emphasizes inclusivity and provides accommodations for applicants who may need assistance completing the application.

Submit official documentation, apply early, ensure CV demonstrates public artistic practice, invoices must include provider/date/amount