Disabled Artist Seeks Help Following Loss of Grant Funds

I am experiencing a sudden financial emergency due to the unexpected, uncommunicated loss of funding promised to me by the Minnesota Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) program through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). I was approved by ERAF to contract two people at $30/ hour, one to provide accommodations for my physical disabilities and one was a job coach to provide accommodations for my cognitive disabilities. Despite being approved by ERAF for these contracted hours they have shut down the program without notice leaving me in a state of hardship. Having already fronted expenses totaling $4,200 that were promised to be reimbursed, I am in need of financial assistance. I am also hoping to raise an additional $1,800 to cover the cost of an additional 60 contracted hours for the worker that accommodates my physical disabilities to support me with already scheduled art events through December 2025. The total amount I hope to raise is $6,000. Any funds raised after $6,000 will be for additional contracted support/accommodations.

I have been a self-employed artist since 2013, making and selling paintings and prints of my work. I live with a genetic condition called Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a condition that progresses over time. In late 2023 the progression of this disease removed my physical ability to work independently and I had to seek out additional resources to get the support I needed to participate in events and continue to sell my work. Since 2024 the Minnesota ERAF program was providing me with crucial funds to pay a contractor to accommodate my physical disabilities and assist me at art events so that I can continue to sell work and earn income. Because of this support through the ERAF program, I was able to grow my income by 175% in just one year. Some tasks that this contractor supports me with include operating a freight elevator in my studio building, packing art market supplies into my car, assisting with setting up and taking down my display or any task that involves lifting over 15lbs. I am in the process of being set up with a Personal Care Assistant through Minnesota that will be available to step into this role and take over the tasks the contractor has been providing me but that start date for this service has yet to be determined, as federal funding cuts and layoffs are delaying this process. I do not receive SSDI or any additional financial support of any kind.

More about me: I work out of my art studio located in the California Building in Northeast Minneapolis. I have exhibited my work in several galleries and public spaces throughout Minnesota, including Co-Exhibitions, Anderson Center, Gamut Gallery and Public Functionary. My artwork has been featured on MPR News and MPLSART.com. In 2013 I earned my BFA in Drawing & Painting from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I completed my first artist residency at Elsewhere Studios in Paonia, CO Fall of 2019. I subsequently served on Elsewhere's board of directors 2020-2024 and focused my tenure on increasing program accessibility. I received the 2023 Arts Midwest Artists with Disabilities Grant which funded my first solo-exhibition “Too Much”.