This grant opportunity supports socially engaged art practices across the United States, providing funding to individual artists, artist teams, and creative practitioners working in public and community settings. Nonprofit organizations may partner on projects, but the grants primarily target artists leading initiatives that foster dialogue, address social issues, and strengthen connections within communities.
The program includes a Field Funds component, offering grants of $500 to support early-stage, experimental, or responsive projects. These smaller grants can cover materials, project coordination, documentation, or other costs directly related to creative and community engagement. Field Funds are intended to provide immediate support to artists as they build relationships, pilot programs, and explore innovative approaches to socially engaged art.
A larger Fellowship program provides $25,000 to a select number of artist teams or individuals. These fellowships support deeper, multi-year projects and may be used for staffing, project materials, community engagement activities, travel, research, or professional development. Fellowships aim to give artists the stability and resources to sustain and expand their socially engaged work and achieve meaningful outcomes within their communities.
Applications are evaluated based on community connection, project feasibility, clarity of goals, engagement strategies, and potential social impact. Projects may take place anywhere in the United States, provided they demonstrate meaningful collaboration and respond to specific community needs. Applicants must clearly outline project objectives, strategies for engagement, and anticipated results. Awardees are expected to document outcomes and reflect on the process, demonstrating tangible community benefits.
