Resources for NYC Performing Artists

If you are experiencing an emergency

Dial 911 - Emergency services
Dial 988 - Mental Health Emergencies

Top Resources for Artists

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Resources For Individual Professions

Who EAG Helps

EAG's programs and services focus primarily on sustaining and supporting the careers of working actors, singers, and dancers in NYC.

If you need help and are working within another field of the arts, we encourage you to start with The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly known as the Actors Fund). Here are other resources that may also be helpful.

For Playwrights

For Theater & Film
Technicians

Food Resources

Additionally, a list of state and federal food-related benefits can be found here.
To browse resources for food, clothing,personal care, or shelter, visit gogetta.nyc/find.

Mental Health & Addiction Resources

For a mental health emergency, dial 988
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
1-888-NYC-WELL
The Samaritans: 212-673-3000
And access a list of additional suggestions here and here.
 Pro-tip: Ask therapists if they have pro-bono spots available.

Legal Help & Resources

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) is the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and its arts and cultural organizations. VLA strives to protect the artistic community’s livelihoods, businesses, and creative works through access to dedicated legal representation and focused education programs. (https://vlany.org/)

Artistic Freedom Initiative facilitates wide-ranging support for persecuted or censored artists, including pro bono immigration representation for artists at risk who wish to travel or immigrate to the United States to pursue their creative endeavors. AFI’s network of pro bono attorneys assists with talent-based visas, performance visas, cultural exchange visas, asylum petitions and refugee status for artists facing persecution or censorship in their home countries.   (https://artisticfreedominitiative.org/our-programs/)

City Bar Justice Center: If you are a New Yorker with limited income and you have a legal problem regarding family/matrimonial, consumer, wills, end-of-life planning, estates administration, landlord/tenant or employment law, the New York City Bar Justice Center may be able to provide you with advice and information. (https://cbjcoi.legalserver.org/modules/matter/extern_intake.php?pid=125&h=84ee0d)

Law Help NY: The search engine generates a list of accessible and affordable legal organizations throughout all 5 boroughs based on information provided regarding region and reason. Database includes a concise and comprehensive description of each legal organization. Visit website (www.lawhelpny.org)
 
Legal Services for New York City: LSNYC provides advice, referral, and representation to low-income workers facing a range of problems, including loss of employment, unpaid wages and overtime pay, employment discrimination, and medical leave issues. Call the Legal Assistance Hotline, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at (917)661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language. Visit www.legalservicesnyc.org for more information. LSNYC has
offices in all 5 boroughs.
 
NYC Bar Association: The Legal Referral Service (LRS) provides referrals to screened and qualified lawyers at hotline (212)626-7373. There is no charge to speak to an attorney referral counselor, and a $35 fee for an initial consultation with a LRS lawyer. Appointments for Monday Night Law, free 30 minute consultations with volunteer lawyers, can be made at the hotline. Visit www.nycbar.org for more information.
Legal Aid Society of New York: The Legal Aid Society offers legal services to low-wage and unemployed workers through direct legal service, individual projects, and city-wide programs. Legal Aid specializes in workplace discrimination, amongst other aspects of criminal law, civil law, juvenile law, and law reform. To reach the Employment Law Unit, call (888)218-6970. For general assistance, call (212)577-3300. Visit www.legalaidnyc.org for more information. Legal Aid has offices in all 5 boroughs, and the Employment Law Unit is located in Manhattan.

Mobilization for Justice: Mobilization for Justice offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals regarding issues in a variety of areas, including employment, government benefits, immigration, and bankruptcy. Visit the “Get Help” page at www.mobilizationforjustice.org or call (212)417-3700 for more information. For legal advice regarding employment rights, contact the Workplace Justice Unit at (212)417-3838 Monday and Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYLAG’s Employment Law Unit provides advice, consultation, and legal representation to low-wage workers on issues related to employment. Visit www.nylag.org/units/employment-law for more information and/or call (212)613-5000 to speak with a case handler.
 
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts: Call the Art Law Line at (212)319-2787, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for advice about legal issues and to schedule a consultation with a staff attorney. Visit https://vlany.org/request-assistance/ to fill out an intake form requesting legal assistance.
 
Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal is dedicated to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV/AIDS through legal assistance, educational campaigns, and public policy advocacy. Visit www.lambdalegal.org for  information regarding individual rights or access to the Legal Help Desk. The Help Desk provides referrals to an appropriate attorney and general legal advice. To contact the Legal Help Desk in closest proximity, locate the hotline on the website or complete an online form.
 
Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A: Brooklyn A provides civil legal assistance to individuals with incomes that fall at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Call (718)487-2300 or visit www.bka.org for more information.

Housing & Utility Resources

Miscellaneous Resources

Other
Last update: 5/23/23