ArtsWave Black and Brown Artist Grant for Individual Artists 2025 (up to $10,000)

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About ArtsWave Black and Brown Artist Grant

The Arts Wave's Black and Brown Artist Grant for individual artists will provide financial support for artists in the Greater Cincinnati Region to continue to explore the themes of our times and to further their artistic development. Artists must present a project idea that can be showcased in July 2025 and participate in artist cohort activities throughout the development of their project.

Projects should use the arts to explore the themes of Truth and Innovation to build upon the current artistic commentary of health and race and to connect it with historical events and visions of a more equitable future. There are two categories of projects, $5,000 or $10,000, and projects must be designed with the Showcase in mind to not only further artistic development but also to share the important themes of the times with the community. Projects may involve some aspect of collaboration with neighborhood or community groups or partners, but that cannot be the extent of the project-there must be a showcase element.

• Sponsor Organisation: ArtsWave

Benefits of ArtsWave Black and Brown Artist Grant

Grant awards will be made in one of two categories: Up to $5,000 or up to $10,000. Proposed projects may be funded in part or in whole, and applicant should address in their narrative if partial funding is not feasible to complete the proposed project. Seventy-five percent of the award will be paid when grant is awarded; the remaining 25% will be paid upon completion of an interim report due March 1, 2025.

ArtsWave Black and Brown Artist Grant Requirements

Applicants for a Black and Brown Artist Grant are:

• An individual artist (either working as a sole proprietor or under an organized LLC as the sole member of the LLC), or teaching artist, working in any artistic discipline.
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
• 18 years of age or older.
• Full-time resident in one of the 15 counties served by ArtsWave, prior to January 1, 2024 and at the time of the grant award.
• Have reported taxable income related to your work as an individual artist or teaching artist in your most recently filed tax return; and/or have a verifiable body of work through digital work samples or website.

Proposal and Documentation Requirements:

1. Application narrative including project description and how your proposed project relates to the theme of Truth and Innovation
2. Project Budget, including reasoning for applying for $5,000 or $10,000) and Project Timeline (projects must be completed by June 1, 2025)
3. Any plans for project presentation, installation or display for the general public beyond the planned joint Grantee showcase 
4. Artist Statement and artistic work samples (digital format)
5. Proof of residency (deed, lease, utility bill or other documentation)
6. Completed W9 and Vendor Survey
7. Agreement to participate in Artist Cohort, led by Michael Thompson
8. Optional: Completed Cincinnati Artist Census

Eligible Expenses

Expenses must be directly associated with the funded activity and include:

• Artist Fee (self-compensation)
• Fees paid to other artists or collaborative partners as part of this project
• Materials/Supplies
• Online tools/services
• Marketing 
• Community engagement activities
• Other expenses directly associated with the funded activity

Ineligible Expenses:

• Refinance or repayment of existing debt
• Expenses related to gambling or gaming activities
• Expenses related to the purveyance of “adult” materials (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene, etc.)
• Activities, services, products or materials involving nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices
• Real estate investment business expenses
• Religious-affiliated organization expenses
• Any expenses that give rise to or support any other activity constituting a nuisance
• Capital purchases
• Any expenses supporting any illegal activity

Criteria for Evaluating Proposals

Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of community volunteers and awarded by the ArtsWave Board of Directors using the following criteria:

• Project must align with the Truth and Innovation theme. Topics include, but are not limited to: 

o Social justice (e.g. equal rights; reproductive rights; trans rights; healthcare for all)

o Black Lives Matter

o Indigenous Sovereignty 

o Healing and Accountability

o Tradition vs Innovation

o Written History vs Oral History

o Environmental Justice

• Projects should leverage the power of the arts in one or more ways as outlined in ArtsWave’s Blueprint for Collective Action: 1) to deepen roots in our community; 2) to bridge cultural divides; 3) to promote learning and understanding; 4) to put Cincinnati on the map; or 5) to enliven neighborhoods
• Track record of artistic work shows skill and potential;
• Project will advance artists work and career in the arts
• Project budget and timeline are reasonable and sufficient to execute the project

Important Information for Grant Recipients 

· Grant awards are competitive and contingent on available funds and the range of proposals received

· This funding opportunity does not require a match

· Groups/ensembles/partnerships must identify a lead applicant. If awarded, the lead applicant will be responsible for entering into an agreement and receiving the funds to disperse to the other members

· Applicants must complete a W9 with data reflecting the appropriate individual/entity for tax purposes. Please consult with your accountant or a tax advisor to determine if the grant is taxable income in your specific situation.

· If an artist has established their artistic practice as an LLC or other business entity and the artist is the sole owner/proprietor of the business, then the artist may choose to enter their business entity into an agreement with ArtsWave.

· Grant awards will be paid in two parts: 75% of award payable upon execution of contract between ArtsWave and Artist and 25% of award payable upon receipt of an interim report due March 1, 2025.

· Grantees are required to acknowledge, with name and logos, grant support provided by ArtsWave and the City of Cincinnati and any other funding partners in connection with the project. This may include, but is not limited to, acknowledgment on promotional or press materials (print and digital/online), at the physical installation site, and/or at public engagement events. This also includes submitting event information to Cincy A&E (online and apps arts calendar).

· This grant does not constitute a purchase agreement for any artwork produced. The artist retains ownership of work produced with the support of ArtsWave.

Application Date and Process

All application materials must be submitted via Submittable, ArtsWave's online grantmaking system. They strongly recommend that you begin your online application well before the due date to familiarize yourself with the online grantmaking system and to address any technical concerns.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to submit a draft proposal by October 22, 2024 to be reviewed by staff in advance of the deadline.

Additional application questions may be directed to Ray Gargano, VP of Community Investments, at [email protected], or Lori Burkhardt, Grant Programs Manager, at [email protected].

Application Deadline

01 November, 2024

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