EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS
noCOVID-19 Emergency Relief
The Emergency Fund is open to visual or multidisciplinary artists currently residing in the state of Alabama. Applicants are required to demonstrate an active creative practice and have lost income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
DEADLINE OCTOBER 31, 2020 11:59 PM
PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW CAREFULLY
ELIGIBILITY:
•Applicants must be living and working in Alabama to qualify.
•Emergency relief grants are for visual artists and graduate students 21 years of age and older that have lost income from their artistic practices as a result of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
•Commercial businesses and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are NOT eligible.
•Examples of eligible requests include recouping financial losses due to canceled events such as exhibitions, speaking and teaching engagements, performances and reimbursement for travel expenses related to creative work that you paid for yourself such as attending conferences or residencies, etc.
•Due to the circumstances of these grants, funding requests can be applied to cover basic living expenses such as rent, groceries, child care, utilities etc.. For complete eligibility requirements please see the emergency grants FAQ below.
APPLICATION:
Applications are only accepted online via Submittable; Emailed or hand-delivered submissions cannot be accepted. Applicants will be asked to upload a CV, up to 7 artwork samples, and provide a written statement that describes how the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their financial livelihood and how they plan to use the funding. Applications will be accepted through October 31, with release of funding very soon thereafter.
APPLICATION TIPS:
Boxes marked with an (*) are required.
CV: aka Curriculum vitae or resume that will give panelists a sense of your previous artistic opportunities and accomplishments.
Images & Other Media: Submit up to 7 images sized to a maximum of 1600 pixels in any direction at 100 dpi. Selection panel will review a maximum of 2 minutes of video documentation per file supplied. Submit video samples as external links provided on the submission.
Statement of need: Please describe how your financial situation has changed in light of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. What extent does your artistic practice account for your income? How will this funding be used?
For questions regarding the application process or eligibility email info@alabamacontemporary.org
You will always have the opportunity to update and edit your profile, but BE SURE TO SAVE YOUR DRAFT AS YOU WORK (Save button at the bottom of the application)
Emergency Relief Grants for Artists FAQ
Who is eligible?
Professional visual artists 21 years of age and older, living and working in Alabama for the last two years, who are able to demonstrate a sustained commitment to their work, career, and a public audience, and who are experiencing dire financial emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How are you defining visual arts?
For the sake of this opportunity, visual arts encompass painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, installation, and film/video as well as new media, socially-engaged artistic practices, and interdisciplinary work based in visual art.
How much funding is available and what is the most I can request?
The Verdant Fund will disperse 60 x $1,000 grants totaling $60,000.
What can I use the funds for?
This funding is for basic living expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, child care, and medical bills. Requests for general indebtedness (payments to credit card debt, student loans etc..) are ineligible. The funds are NOT intended to be used for project-based proposals at this time.
What is the Selection process for funding?
Due to time constraints applications will be vetted once to evaluate demonstration of both financial need and active, committed, long-term artistic practice. Selections will be made through a randomized lottery system.
What is required for the application?
You will be asked to submit an artist bio, curriculum vitae or resumé, statement of need, and up to 7 images of your artwork.
What are examples of financial loss that I should include in my statement of need?
Recouping financial losses due to canceled events such as exhibitions, speaking and teaching engagements, and reimbursement for travel expenses related to creative work that you paid for yourself such as attending conferences or residencies, etc.
I work primarily in the service industry but have lost opportunities as an artist, am I eligible?
Yes.
I don’t have a website; how else can I show you more of my work?
If you recently participated in an exhibition, public event, or led a workshop, share the link with us on your submission. You can also share a link to a google drive folder with images and other files.
If I am selected, how soon will I receive the funding?
Given the high volume of requests we will receive, funding will be dispersed by check or PayPal as quickly as possible following the October 31 deadline and upon receipt of the signed grant contract and W9 form.
Are there any requirements for reporting?
Yes, recipients will submit very brief reports that let us know how the money was used, which will be due 30 days after receipt of the funds.