What Resources and Emergency Support Does Artist Trust Offer Artists?

Artist Trust is a Washington State–focused nonprofit that has invested over $15 million in individual artists of all disciplines since 1986. Its resources and emergency support are aimed primarily at artists living and working in Washington State, and they fall into four practical buckets: grants and funding help, emergency relief (including wildfire recovery), a broad resource library, and a browsable list of opportunities such as calls, residencies, and jobs.

Grants and Funding Support

Artist Trust awards merit- and need-based grants to Washington State artists across disciplines. Beyond the money itself, the site emphasizes application support so artists can put together stronger submissions. According to the site, that support includes:

• One-on-one consultations with Artist Trust staff
• "How to apply" webinars
• Study halls
• Reference guides

If you are preparing an application, treat these as part of the process rather than optional extras — they exist specifically to help artists navigate the requirements.

Emergency and Wildfire Recovery Resources

The site maintains a dedicated Wildfire Recovery Resources page. It covers:

• Emergency funds for artists
• Food and shelter services
• Recovery resources
• How to help affected artists

This is the section to check first if you or artists you know are dealing with wildfire impacts. It combines direct aid (funds, food, shelter) with information for people who want to support others.

The Resource Library

Artist Trust's Resources section collects articles, how-tos, toolkits, and webinars. Topics span vital needs beyond art-making itself, including:

• Funding
• Healthcare
• Housing
• Legal issues

This is a general-knowledge library rather than a single program, so it's most useful when you have a specific practical question — for example, how to approach a funding application or where to look for information on housing or legal matters as an artist.

Opportunities: Calls, Grants, Residencies, and Jobs

The site lists opportunities that are eligible to Washington State artists. You can browse:

• Calls (including calls for art)
• Grants
• Residencies
• Jobs
• Other opportunities for artists of all disciplines

One current example from the site: the Artist Trust Benefit Art Auction Call for Art, with a deadline of October 16. Deadlines and listings change, so verify current details on the site before planning around any single opportunity.

Who This Is For

Artist Trust serves individual artists of all disciplines in Washington State. Its grants and listed opportunities are described as eligible to Washington State artists, so if you are outside Washington, the funding and opportunity listings may not apply to you — though the general resource articles and how-tos can still be useful reading.

Getting Involved Beyond Receiving Support

Artist Trust describes itself as a fundraising organization that relies on community support. Two ways the site invites participation:

• Strategic planning surveys — separate surveys for artists and for partners/supporters, run in partnership with Imago, to help shape Artist Trust's new strategic plan.
• Supporting the work — as a fundraising organization, it depends on community contributions to sustain grants and professional development programs.

Quick Reference

Start with the section that matches your immediate need — emergency relief if you're affected by wildfire, Grants if you're seeking funding, or Opportunities if you're looking for calls and residencies — and confirm current deadlines and eligibility on the site itself, since listings and dates change.