Resources for Actors and Theatre Makers

A short, checked list of organisations that actors, playwrights, directors and small companies turn to for money in an emergency, health coverage, legal help, safety at work and professional support. Most are based in the United States, with a focus on New York where local resources are listed. Eligibility rules change, so always read each organisation's current criteria on its own site.

Performers' unions and guilds

• SAG-AFTRA: the union for film, television, radio, commercial, recording and digital performers. Contracts, rates, audition and safety guidance for members.
• Actors' Equity Association: the union for professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States. Agreements and codes covering productions, readings and showcases.
• Dramatists Guild of America: the professional organisation for playwrights, composers, lyricists and librettists, with model contracts and business advice.
• AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists): the union for opera, dance and choral performers.

Emergency financial help

• Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund): emergency financial assistance, social services, career support and housing programmes for people who work in performing arts and entertainment, not only actors.
• SAG-AFTRA Foundation: emergency financial assistance for eligible SAG-AFTRA members, plus free career programmes.
• Dramatists Guild Foundation: grants and programmes supporting writers for the stage.
• Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Emergency Grants for visual and performing artists facing unexpected costs for projects with a confirmed opportunity.
• CERF+: emergency relief and readiness resources, with a focus on craft artists.
• MusiCares: financial, health and human services for people in the music industry.

Health coverage and wellbeing

• The Entertainment Community Fund runs the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center, which helps performers and other arts workers understand and enrol in health coverage.
• HealthCare.gov: the federal marketplace for individual health insurance; some states, including New York, run their own marketplaces.
• Union health plans: if you are a union member, check your eligibility for your union's health plan, which often depends on earnings or weeks worked.

Legal and business help

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (New York): legal services, clinics and education for artists and arts organisations. Many other cities have a similar volunteer lawyers for the arts organisation.
• Freelancers Union: resources and advocacy for independent workers, including contract templates.
• In New York City, the Freelance Isn't Free Act, enforced by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, gives freelancers rights to written contracts and timely payment for many jobs.
• Fractured Atlas and NYFA: fiscal sponsorship and professional development for artists. See our guide to fiscal sponsorship.

Harassment and safety at work

If you experience harassment or unsafe conditions in a production, rehearsal room or audition:

• Union members can report to their union. Both SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity publish ways for members to report harassment and safety concerns on their websites.
• Everyone can file a complaint about workplace discrimination or harassment with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, subject to its rules on who is covered, and with state or city human rights agencies, which sometimes cover more workers, including some freelancers.
• Sexual assault: the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-656-4673.

Collectives and shared spaces should have a written code of conduct and a reporting route that does not depend on a single person; see how artist co-ops are run.

Mental health crisis

• In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
• The Entertainment Community Fund also offers counselling and support services for people in the entertainment industry.

Opportunities, residencies and space

• New Play Exchange (National New Play Network): script database and opportunities for playwrights.
• Alliance of Artists Communities: directory of artist residencies.
• A.R.T./New York: support for nonprofit theatres in New York, including affordable space programmes.
• NYFA: classifieds for jobs, opportunities and spaces.

Cooperatives and collectives

• International Cooperative Alliance: cooperative principles and national member organisations.
• U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives and Democracy at Work Institute: resources for worker co-ops.
• NCBA CLUSA: national association for cooperatives across sectors.

Is a link broken or an organisation missing? This list is reviewed regularly; corrections are welcome via the details in the legal notice.